Resources for Focus on Risk Activity 2 – Things Aren’t Always What They Seem

Students will identify their perceptions of the relative degree of risk associated with technologies, environmental hazards, and everyday activities. They will also have the opportunity to share their ideas as they compare and contrast their perceptions with those of others, such as experts and lay people.

This is one of 11 activities that can be found in PLT’s Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk. To get the activity, attend a training and receive PLT’s Focus on Risk secondary module. Below are some supporting resources for this activity. 

STUDENT PAGES

Download the copyright-free student pages that are included with this activity:

Environmental Research Needs (PDF)

Environmental Risk Survey (PDF)

Environmental Risks Research Priorities (PDF)

Experts vs. Lay People Discussing the Differences (PDF)

Perceived Risk for 24 Activities (PDF)

Ordering of Perceived Risk for 30 Activities and Technologies (PDF)

Perceived Risk for 30 Activities and Technologies (PDF)

Risk Perception Factors (PDF)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The following tools and resources may be used to enhance the activity.

  • Death by Design Documentary

    Consumers love – and live on – their smartphones, tablets and laptops. However, even the tiniest devices have deadly environmental and health costs. From the electronics factories in China, to the high-tech innovation labs of Silicon Valley, Death by Design tells a story of the fast-approaching tipping point between consumerism and sustainability.

  • Teaching About Controversial Topics in Science

    This series in NSTA Reports is based on the NSTA Press book Thinking Scientifically About Controversial Issues: Clones, Cats, and Chemicals. The book examines 10 dilemmas from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, technology, and mathematics to help challenge students to confront scientific and social problems that offer few black-and-white solutions. It provides the facts and the framework to provoke classroom debates.

  • US EPA Facts and Figures About Materials, Waste and Recycling

    US EPA Facts and Figures About Materials, Waste and Recycling website has information on municipal solid waste in the United States. The data includes information on energy recovery and landfills as well. 

  • Superfund for Students

    At this EPA website, students can learn about four different types of hazardous waste (groundwater contamination, surface water contamination, soil contamination, and air contamination) and how to clean up each type. Later, students can test their knowledge of hazardous wastes with the Superfund Scavenger Hunt or Superfund quiz.