Solving Environmental Problems through Engineering

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 20.04.04

  1. Unit Guide
  1. INTRODUCTION
  2. Rare Earth Elements
  3. RATIONALE
  4. CONTENT OBJECTIVES (aligned to science standards)
  5. BACKGROUND CONTENT 
  6. Recycling REEs in Magnets  
  7. TEACHING STRATEGIES: (Aligned to the Content Objectives)
  8. UNIT ACTIVITIES
  9. APPENDIX ON IMPLEMENTING DISTRICT STANDARDS
  10. STUDENT RESOURCES
  11. Anticipation Guide
  12. TEACHER RESOURCES
  13. BIBLIOGRAPHY
  14. Notes

The Life Cycle of Rare Earth Elements

Cristobal Rene Carambo

Published September 2020

Tools for this Unit:

Anticipation Guide

Guided Reading Questions

  1. List eight (8) common products that use rare-earth elements.
  2. Why are rare-earth elements sometimes called “chemical vitamins”?
  3. Starting in the 1970s, color televisions contained minerals with rare-earth elements. Which elements were used, and what colors did they produce?
  4. Describe how the process of luminescence works.
  5. What is an alloy? Why are they used?
  6. Are rare-earth metals really rare? Explain.
  7. Which country has the largest supply of rare-earth metals?
  8. Which rare-earth element is used as a pink coloring agent and in lasers used to remove acne scars and tattoos?
  9. Why are these elements called “technology metals”?
  10. Why have some mines gone out of business? Where are most mines located? Why are they profitable there? 

Use Table developed in  class and websites listed below to complete homework assignment.

WebQuest Sources:

Rare Earth Elements: Vital to Modern Life : https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2014/3078/pdf/fs2014-3078.pdf

Rare Earth Elements and their Uses:  https://geology.com/articles/rare-earth-elements/

Rare Earth Elements: https://www.periodni.com/rare_earth_elements.html:  Closely read “The Rare Earth Dilemma”

What are Rare Earth Metals: https://www.treehugger.com/what-are-rare-earth-metals-4862190: Closely read section titled:  “ Look whose toxin”.

LCA Materials Engineering Analysis Questions

  1. What are the effects of your decisions as an engineer?
  2. What is the source of the resources that are used to produce materials ( products?) Examples?
  3. Are our reserves of natural resources finite or infinite? Explain your reasoning.
  4. What are some inputs and outputs to this first phase?
  5. Describe each of the steps in the product’s life cycle.
  6. What are the inputs / outputs at the product disposal phase?
  7. Why is it important to recycle products?
  8. What are two other steps that can be used at the product disposal phase to limit our use of resources and extend the product’s lifetime?
  9. How does the video describe the Life Cycle Assessment?
  10. The video says that the LCA is important to engineers because sustainability is important. What is sustainability and why is it important?

Comments:

Be the first to comment on this unit!

Add a Comment

Characters Left: 500