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by
Charles R. Bomar
Department of Biology
University of Wisconsin—Stout
The purpose of this multi-part case is to tie together many principles of an introductory non-majors Environmental Science course. Issues affecting the environment are not isolated; therefore it is critical that we connect the “dots” so students can see that for every action in the environment there is a reaction.
The initial version of the case was written by two students, Lindsey May, and Jessica Kotke, in my course, Bio 111, Science Society and the Environment. In that course I use the case for class discussion during the lectures on the impact of groundwater, but it could also be easily introduced during resource management (recycling).
I believe that the case could also be used in a 100- or 200-level introductory level biology or ecology course.
Upon completing the case, students will:
The case, which consists of two parts, was developed for a 55-minute class period. I allow students a few minutes to individually read Part I, which consists of a dialogue, then we spend about 10–15 minutes discussing the conversation and everything else we want to know about bottled water. I then give the students 5 minutes to read Part II individually, and then put them in their groups to deal with the questions. They are given 15–20 minutes to answer the questions. The remainder of the class is spent reporting out from their groups to the rest of the class.
| Table 1. Suggested Case Study Breakdown (55–65 mins without extension exercises) | ||
| Step | Task | Time (min.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read Part I of the case. | 5 |
| 2 | Discuss Sally’s mother’s dilemma, using it as a tool to direct class discussion to the background information in Part II. | 10–15 |
| 3 | Read Part II of the case. | 5 |
| 4 | Groups discuss the questions at the end of Part II—have them prepare answers to turn in. | 15–20 |
| 5 | Class discussion—emphasize the interrelatedness of the issues. | 20 |
| 6 | Extension exercises—either utilize in-class time or assign as homework. | 10 |
As an extension, or follow-up, exercise, students can be asked to write a one-paragraph press release that details the problems of recycling water bottles or to identify and describe another environmental issue (other than the groundwater, recycling, and safety issues explored in the case) associated with bottled water.
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Acknowledgements: This case was developed with support from the National Science Foundation under CCLI Award #0341279. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Date Posted: 01/07/06 nas
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Originally published at http://www.sciencecases.org/bottled_water/bottled_water_notes.asp
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