Sophia - Environmental Science - Unit 1 Challenge 1.
1 — Science & The Scientific Process
Identify the steps of the scientific method in a given
... [Show More] situation.
Alexander Fleming made a great discovery in the 1920s. While cleaning some glass plates upon which he had been growing bacteria, he noticed one plate had grown mold and the bacteria was gone.
Which of the following activities corresponds with the conclusion step of the scientific method?
• a.) Fleming determines that penicillin (from mold) can be used to treat bacterial infections.
• b.) Fleming wonders if there is a causal relationship between the mold and the disappearance of the bacteria.
• c.) Fleming introduces liquid mold to some bacteria cultures and no mold to others.
• d.) Fleming hypothesizes that if bacteria are exposed to a certain kind of mold, the bacteria will die.
2 — Environmental Science
Classify an element as either biotic or abiotic.
Which of the following is an abiotic element in this image?
• a.) Moss
• b.) Grass
• c.) Rocks
• d.) Plants
3 — Environmentalism: Environmentalism vs. Environmental Science
Differentiate between environmental science and environmentalism.
Environmental science is different from environmentalism because ____________.
• a.) environmental science is objective
• b.) environmental science is filled with bias
• c.) environmental science is subjective
• d.) environmental science promotes personal opinion
4 — Environmentalism: 19th and 20th Century Environmentalists
Recognize the contributions of 19th and 20th-century environmentalists.
What was Gifford Pinchot's contribution to environmentalism?
• a.) Called for the establishment of wildlife areas
• b.) Warned of human overpopulation leading to famine and disease
• c.) Inspired a national environmental movement in the U.S.
• d.) Served as the first chief of the U.S. Forest System
5 — Scientific Literacy
Determine the scientific source that would provide a given quotation.
“Overpopulation is a global problem and I feel we need firm policies in place to address it.”
Based on this quotation, which of the following is the likely source?
• a.) A media representative, because it is a mixture of data, speculation and scientific jargon
• b.) A politician, because it is a general statement and includes personal opinion
• c.) A scientist, because it is using non-technical language so that others will understand
• d.) A popular magazine, because it is a mixture of data and personal testimony
6 — Graphic Literacy
Identify the purpose of different graph types.
Which of the following describes the purpose of a line graph?
• a.) It's great to show how a whole is divided into different parts.
• b.) It's best used to show a process or flow with arrows.
• c.) It's great to show how something is changing over space or time.
• d.) It's best used to show numbers that are independent of each other.
7 — Graphs in Environmental Science
Recognize the design element for a misleading graph.
Which of the following features in the graph is misleading?
• a.) The data points aren't clearly labeled.
• b.) The x-axis has gaps in scale.
• c.) The title introduces bias.
• d.) The data is obscured.
8 — Applying Environmental Science
Determine the environmental action a certain group would most likely make.
Which of the following groups would enforce air quality standards on local businesses?
• a.) Scientists
• b.) Non-profit organizations
• c.) Private industries
• d.) Government agencies [Show Less]