Students investigate how human activities change air, water, and soil chemistry and determine which chemical processes most harm ecosystems, then use that evidence to propose realistic ways communities can reduce those impacts. Through Chem Impact Challenge Day, the eggshell CaCO3 dissolution lab, and analysis of cause-and-effect models and data, mixed regular-and-honors teams build content understanding of reactions tied to acid rain, smog, water contamination, soil pollution, and ocean acidification. The purpose is to connect core chemistry ideas about reactions and chemical properties to a public-facing task: creating a 2-minute PSA video, storyboard, and 1-page blurb for a school exhibition that informs peers and administrators. Midway through, students refine their explanations and products through a gallery walk or checkpoint conference, using feedback to strengthen both scientific accuracy and collaboration.

Students will explain how human activities change air, water, and soil chemistry by constructing evidence-based cause-and-effect models for issues such as ocean acidification, acid rain, smog, water contamination, or soil pollution, including reactions like CaCO3 dissolution observed in the eggshell lab. They will use data from launch stations, investigations, and research to construct and revise explanations of environmental chemical reactions using atomic structure, periodic trends, and chemical properties. In cross-class teams, students will design, evaluate, and refine a realistic community response to reduce environmental harm and biodiversity impacts, then communicate their reasoning through a storyboard, a one-page blurb, and a 2-minute PSA video. Students will also strengthen collaboration, feedback, and self-direction by using midpoint gallery walk and conference feedback to improve both their scientific explanations and shared work process.

Students will create investigation notes and cause-and-effect models from Chem Impact Challenge Day stations, then develop a joint regular-and-honors storyboard, ecosystem impact model, and a one-page evidence-based blurb explaining the chemical reactions behind their chosen issue. Midway through, they will bring their storyboard, blurb, and data evidence to a gallery walk/checkpoint conference for sticky-note critique and revision. The final products are a polished 2-minute PSA video, a revised storyboard, and a final one-page blurb that explain the environmental chemistry problem, its ecosystem impacts, and a realistic solution. These products will be displayed and shared at a schoolwide exhibition for both chemistry classes, other students, and administrators.

Start with a Chem Impact Challenge Day where mixed regular-and-honors teams rotate through fast, hands-on stations on acid rain, smog, water contamination, soil pollution, and ocean acidification, including the eggshell-in-carbonated water, vinegar, and water comparison lab to observe CaCO3 dissolution. At each station, students record one observable chemical change, one question about ecosystem effects, and one possible community response, then compare patterns in a brief cross-class debrief. Close by introducing the driving questions and having each team choose one environmental chemistry issue to investigate together for their PSA video, storyboard, and one-page blurb.

Host a schoolwide Environmental Chemistry PSA Showcase where regular and honors chemistry teams present their 2-minute videos, storyboards, and 1-page blurbs at issue-based stations on acid rain, smog, water contamination, soil pollution, and ocean acidification. Invite both chemistry classes, other science classes, and administrators to rotate through the exhibition, ask questions, and leave feedback on how clearly each team explains the chemical reactions, environmental impacts, and proposed solutions. Include a brief live presentation at each station in which partners explain key evidence from their investigations, such as the CaCO3 dissolution lab, and describe how they revised their work after peer and teacher critique. End with a reflection wall where visitors post one thing they learned and one action communities can take to reduce human impacts on ecosystems.