Erin Brockovich

	Erin Brockovich (2000)

	Concept featured in clip: Importance of environmental awareness; groundwater pollution
	Location of clip:
	VHS: 36:00 – 43:30, DVD: 55:00 – 56:5 Play Flickclip Here (Quicktime)

Summary of clip: Julia Roberts explores the legal problems of her boss’ client. Roberts talks with her client, and determines how the medical problems of the client are related to a large company’s offer to buy their land. Also, Roberts talks with a hydrologist to determine what the groundwater contaminant is and what damage it might do. The last scene shows Roberts at the water board collecting records.

Connection of flickclip to the concept:Environmental knowledge is important to understanding the affects of pollution in air and especially groundwater. Groundwater pollution can lead to severe birth defects, cancers, other life-threatening illnesses and possibly even death. Also, many people have an inadequate background in science and are made vulnerable to the lies and manipulation of large companies.

Suggestions to teachers:

1. Suggested questions for students when viewing the clip:

How can groundwater pollution affect human health?

If the families of Hinckley had been skeptical of the information they had been given, how might this have affected their situation?

What is the importance of environmental awareness?

You can show this clip and have more advanced students do research on: Types of water pollutants

Effects of water pollutants

How are water pollution accidents resolved?

How do water pollution accidents occur?

What industries cause the most pollution

EPA water standards