Pesticides: Virtual Exploration Lesson
Objectives – Students will:
• Reinforce their knowledge of pesticides
• Learn about pesticides in and around the home
• Learn about types of pesticides
• Understand the effects of pesticides on the environment
• Understand the movement of pesticides in the environment
• Create a pesticide life cycle using inquiry, art, and writing skills
Vocabulary
Pesticides
Persistence
Crop dusting
Safety
Drift
Crop emergence
Runoff
Pesticide selection
Environment
Insect breeding
Pesticide safety
Pesticide efficacy
Pesticide movement
Crop canopy
Poison
Residue
Backpack sprayer
Poison control
Part 1 – General discussion questions: Type answers to these questions in the space provided below during the class
discussion
1. What are pesticides?
2. Where are pesticides found?
3. What are pesticides used for?
4. Who uses pesticides?
5. What good do pesticides do?
6. Are pesticides safe for people and pets to be around? Why or why not?
7.
What kind of harm do pesticides cause?
Part 2 – Pesticides around the Home: Go to the EPA website for a home tour to read about different chemicals used in
the home to control pests. Type answers to the questions in the space provided below.
http://www.epa.gov/kidshometour/
1. List the 6 household products in the garage that contain pesticides or toxic substances
2. List the 5 household products in the laundry room that contain pesticides or toxic substances
3. List the 7 household products in the kitchen that contain pesticides or toxic substances
4. List the 3 household products in the living room that contain pesticides or toxic substances
5. List the 5 household products in the bathroom that contain pesticides or toxic substances
6. List the 2 household products in the bedroom that contain pesticides or toxic substances
Choose two of these products that you are interested in that you know are present in your home. Click on the products
in the virtual house, and for each product you chose, answer the following questions:
Product __________________________________
1. What is this product used for?
2. List the chemicals that are found in this product.
3. What are the health and safety precautions for this product?
Product __________________________________
1. What is this product used for?
2. List the chemicals that are found in this product.
3. What are the health and safety precautions for this product?
Part 3 – Pesticide Life Cycle: Go to the Extension Toxicology Network site at
http://extoxnet.orst.edu/tibs/movement.htm , and read the information on the webpage.
1. Select TWO pesticide situations from the list below
• A potato grower applies a powder pesticide, on a windy day, with an airplane. This is known as crop dusting.
• Mosquitoes are pestering vacationers. Pesticide applicators apply the pesticide to the pond that is the
environment for mosquito breeding.
• Pesticides are applied to the ground before a corn crop emerges. The crop is near a wooded area.
• Pesticides are applied to orchard fruits through backpack sprayers
• Liquid pesticides are applied to a crop of cranberries. Cranberries grow in bogs (low wetland areas).
• Powder pesticides are applied to a crop canopy
• Mouse poison is hidden in the corner of a home
2. Using the information you read, prepare a life cycle diagram or flow chart (similar to the “Pesticide Fate
Processes” diagram on the website) for each of the situations you chose. Place your diagrams in the space
below.
a. Your diagrams must have pictures and captions (elaborate on the sample diagram on the webpage)
b. Your diagrams must address each of the following:
i. What happens to the pesticide
ii. Where the pesticide goes
iii. Who/what is affected by the pesticide