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Article: PCBs in the last frontier: a case study on the scientific method.
- Article from:
- Journal of College Science Teaching
- Article date:
- October 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 National Science Teachers Association. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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This interrupted case study is based on current research involving the global transport of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Students are asked to propose several hypotheses and experiments in an attempt to determine how PCBs are transferred globally. As the case unfolds, it becomes clear that the transport mechanism is more complicated than scientists first thought. The case requires minimal background knowledge and is suitable for major and nonmajor courses in biology, chemistry, and environmental science.
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The case
Part I -- PCBs
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are compounds that were once used as insulators ...