Assessing Toxic Risk

· An overview of basic principals of toxicology and how these are used in assessing chemical risks.

· Simple but authentic research protocols for testing chemical toxicity by conducting bioassays using lettuce seeds, duckweed, and Daphnia.

· Worksheets that guide students through each step of research, providing structure but flexibility in designing and conducting meaningful experiments.

· Guidelines for integrating peer review and other collaborative knowledge-building into classroom science.

Why Study Toxic Risk?

Toxicology makes an ideal topic for student research because it:

· Relates to everyday stories in the news and decisions that we all make about chemicals in our food, water, and environment.

· Provides a natural link between scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, environmental science, and human health.

· Highlights the connections between science and public policy.

· Offers a wide range of possibilities for safe and feasible student investigations.

· Builds critical thinking skills.