A tool to help people understand how much air pollution is in their area each day.
People that were part of an ancient Native American culture. They lived in the area where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet today. The people settled there around the year 550 and lived there for several hundred years.
The process of using biological organisms, such as bacteria or plants, to remove pollution. Bioremediation can occur in soil or in water.
Long, floating lines made up of plastic floats. Booms can be used to contain oil spills.
A technology that alerts people to the amount of carbon monoxide in the air.
A technology that reduces the amount of pollutants added to the air by car and truck exhaust.
A type of lightbulb that uses electricity and a gas-filled tube to produce light. These lightbulbs use less energy and last longer than incandescent lightbulbs.
Garbage that can break down into materials that add nutrients to soil. Compost piles can include items such as food products, newspapers, grass clippings, or fireplace ashes.
In a scientific investigation, this is used to compare to the tests. Everything in the control is kept the same as the experiment, except the independent variable. Not all investigations have a control.
In a scientific investigation, the variable that changes depending on the other variables. Typically, you cannot predict with accuracy how the dependent variable will change. A dependent variable is sometimes called the responding variable.
The process of spreading something over a wide area. Waves, wind, and currents spread oil out when it is spilled.
A technology that reduces the amount of pollutants added to the air by factories.
A person who uses the process of technology to help people solve problems. Engineers develop tools and other objects to extend human limits. There are many types of engineers.
A branch of science and technology that is concerned with designing and building objects to help people solve problems.
Water that moves through the soil and underground.
The most common kind of lightbulb. These lightbulbs use a wire filament to produce light. They also give off a lot of heat.
A large furnace that burns garbage. Some cities use incinerators to dispose of garbage.
In a scientific investigation, the variable that you change to see the results. An independent variable is sometimes called the manipulated variable.
A large pit or hole where people put garbage. A landfill can become so large it becomes a mound. Many cities use landfills as the primary place for garbage disposal. In some landfills, layers of garbage are covered with dirt each day to keep the garbage from blowing away.
The process used by plants to convert carbon dioxide, water, and energy from sunlight into food and oxygen.
Copying work that someone else has done and using it as your own work.
A way to reduce waste by buying products that produce less waste. Examples are buying products that can be recycled or are made from recycled materials. Buying products that have less packaging is another example.
The process of creating new products from used materials. Recycling helps prevent waste.
When people try to use products with less packaging or avoid using disposable products. Reducing helps prevent waste.
The process of using a product over and over. Products may be reused for the same purpose or for a different purpose. Reusing helps prevent waste.
A technology that uses pumps and hoses to remove oil from the surface of water.
Materials that soak up spilled oil.
A person with an interest or a concern about an issue.
The process that helps people solve problems. Technologies extend human limits to help people solve problems.
A factor or quantity in a scientific investigation that can change. A variable can be manipulated or it can remain the same during a scientific investigation.
A technology that can produce energy and does not produce air pollutants.
Next 
Engage
Linking
Question Explore Linking
Question Explain Linking
Question Elaborate Linking
Question Evaluate
Key idea: Real-world problems often involve competing constraints.
Activity: Students read dialogue between two engineers discussing competing constraints for an oil spill cleanup project.Key idea: Test data are essential when deciding what is possible and what is impossible.
Activity: Students test how changes in the recovery rate of oil affect the efficiency of recovery.Key idea: Explaining test results involves making a claim, providing evidence, and giving a reason the evidence supports the claim.
Activity: Students read field notes from an oil spill engineer and learn how the engineer explains test data from the Engage activity.Key idea: Simulations help us understand how technologies work without going into the field.
Activity: Students use a simulation to explain the way various oil spill technologies work.Key idea: Solutions to complex problems often mean presenting workable choices.
Activity: Students choose a set of oil spill constraints and then develop a recommended cleanup plan to present to stakeholders.