Term 2 – Assessment Item 2
The Impact of Using Minerals in the 21st Century
Name: ______________________________
Teacher: _________________________
Electronic waste (e-waste) information:
The term e-waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices such as televisions and computers. Rapid
changes in technology, falling prices and planned obsolescence (e.g. when you buy a new PS3 and throw out your
PS2) have resulted in more e-waste accumulating around the globe.
An estimated 106 00 tons (17 million units) of e-waste is produced in Australia each year. Of this, only 10% is
recycled, leaving 84% transported to landfill (the other 6% is exported). These values are predicted to rise to 181 000
tons (44 million units) by 2030. The potential environmental and health hazards of contaminated landfill areas are of
great concern to the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) of Australia.
Environmental Impact information:
Several aspects of mining affect the immediate environment. Firstly, the waste materials which are produced from
the mine may flow into waterways or leach into soil, heavily polluting the ecosystem. Secondly, the removal of both
flora and fauna from the mine site leads to gaps in the food chain for those fauna remaining, as well as problems
with succession of plants (establishment of new forests and habitats) after the mining has ceased. To minimise the
damage mining companies are now required to conduct Environmental Impact Statements and look towards
rehabilitation of the site.
Task 1:
1. You are to select a 21st-century object (e.g. iPhone, laptop, Plasma/LED/LCD TV, mp3 player, etc) to research.
2. Find out all of the different minerals and metals that are needed to manufacture it.
3. Create an information poster like the attached “Light Bulb” example that highlights which parts are made
from which minerals.
Task 2:
1. Choose one of the main minerals needed to make your object.
2. Create a flow chart like the “phone” example provided.
3. Your flow chart needs to show ALL of the steps taken, from mining the mineral to manufacturing the object.
Task 3:
1. Using the same mineral chosen in task 2, you are to write a short essay (approx.. 400 words) that describes
the following:
a. What are the possible environmental impacts of mining your chosen mineral?
b. What steps can be taken to avoid these impacts?
c. What rehabilitation steps are involved in returning the site back to its original natural condition?
Dimensions of Learning
Dimension
Dimension 2 – Acquire and integrate knowledge
Element of Dimension
1.
2.
Dimension 3 – Extend and refine knowledge
Dimension 4 – Use knowledge meaningfully
Dimension 5 – Habits of Mind
Declarative knowledge – knowing and understanding content.
Students should know and understand:
a.
Types of rocks, minerals and metals used to produce a
chosen 21st century object
b.
The Rock Cycle
c.
Mining practices in Queensland
d.
Environmental, sociological and economic impact of
current mining practices
e.
Alternatives to current mining practices
Procedural knowledge – applying knowledge. Students should be
able to:
a.
Use knowledge of rocks and minerals in the local area
to justify opinion on current mining practices in the
local area
b.
Examine past, present and future mining practices
c.
Consider alternatives to current mining strategies and
decide if they are applicable in the Queensland
d.
Make recommendations for reducing impacts of
current mining strategies
1.
Comparing: compare the different methods of extracting minerals
and metals
2.
Abstracting: Identify the importance of the rock cycle in terms of
sustainability
3.
Analysing perspectives: Students must be able to acknowledge
and incorporate the different perspectives of community
members, local businesses and environmental organisations
surrounding the issue of mining, into their decision making
process
4.
Inductive reasoning: Students are required to make
generalisations about the sustainability of current mining
practices, by integrating their knowledge about the rocks and
minerals in QLD, and the rock cycle with individual research.
1.
Systems Analysis: Identify and interpret the stages of the Rock
cycle and relate them to the sustainability of mining.
2.
Decision Making: Make decisions on the environmental impact of
modern day mining practices, via investigation and research.
1.
Clarity and precision: Students will be capable of expressing their
ideas accurately in clear and concise language.
2.
Gathering data through all senses: Students will learn about the
structure and life cycle of rocks by visually examining, feeling, and
performing tests on different rocks and minerals.
3.
Applying past knowledge to new situations: Students will be able
to integrate and apply previously learnt declarative and
procedural knowledge to new and novel situations, in order to
reach conclusions (deductive reasoning).
Year 8 Science Unit 4: The impact of using minerals in the 21st century
Name:
Purpose of assessment: To communicate ideas related to the formation and types of rocks and minerals and draw conclusions about the environmental impact of the
processes of obtaining and disposing of metals.
Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding
Investigating
Science understanding: Demonstrates knowledge and
understanding of scientific concepts about minerals
and the mining process
Science as a human endeavour: Draw conclusions
about the environmental impacts of using minerals
Communicating: Collects and organises information
using scientific language and conventions to
communicate ideas
Analyse the relationship between minerals,
the mining process and everyday objects.
Shows all minerals used for chosen object
and all of the mining processes involved in its
manufacture
Draws conclusions based on evaluation of
environmental impacts.
Summarises key points of collected
information using correct and accurate
scientific terminology
A
B
-
Presents some of the minerals used for
chosen object and part of the mining process
involved in its manufacture
Analyses information about the impacts on
the environment including by-products of
obtaining and disposing of metals.
Clearly and accurately communicates ideas
using scientific language in diagrams and
representations.
Collects relevant information.
C
D
Identifies few of the minerals used for chosen
object.
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Identifies impacts on the environment.
Provides explanations using everyday
language.
Collects information.
E
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