Development of acid rain model instrument and its application in environmental education

Abstract

The environmental education with ideal teaching tools (e.g., a small-scaled experimental kit) is essential for raising the public's, especially student's, awareness of many environmental issues. This study was undertaken to develop a do-it-yourself model instrument of acid rain and estimating its applicability to the environmental education. Our novel model tool consists of a body (17 cm width, 6 cm depth, and 17 cm height), an acid gas injector, acid four rain reservoirs, and a drop supply pump. An alternative model instrument that can be more readily assembled was also suggested. Based on our novel approach, we carried out several model experiments with educatees (i.e., high school and college students, and adults). The results of questionnaires indicated that educatees achieved a very deep understanding of acid rain through an experienced model experiment. A 77 to 89% of educatees experienced the reappearance experiment of acid rain by our model instrument felt that it was very useful as a teaching tool of environmental education.