Data- senst. Enviro/web page: Summer 1999

 "Getting to Y.E.S. (Youth Enrichment Science)" is a two-phase professional development program designed for elementary and middle school teachers to develop content in math, science and technology. This project, funded by a Dwight D. Eisenhower Grant, used an inquiry based problem solving approach contextualized in STS issues to produce engaged learning. Using STS issues in the local community as the focus for investigation and learning both in and out of the classroom, the core of this program is based on a strong foundation of the basic concepts of biology and chemistry which form the basis of science education. The use of mathematical problem solving strategies help explore and explain data collection, results, and solutions.

For this project the issue chosen was "How safe is your drinking water." The first phase of the project was a two-week, all day institute in which the teachers focused on curriculum to develop an understanding of some basic concepts of biology, chemistry and mathematics taught in an interdisciplinary format. This component of the program was taught by professors in the Natural Science (Chemistry and Biology), Mathematics, and Education Departments. Teachers participated in such activities as water collection and testing for a number of factors, collecting and identifying organisms in local water creeks and ponds. This included trips to a community sewage treatment plant, and river watch activities utilized by local environmentalists.

In addition to the technology of the laboratory, students used internet research for information gathering. In-service teachers had the opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary graduate course taught by college faculty who modeled the type of planning and teaching necessary for this type of instruction.

Phase II included a week-long academy for students in which teachers worked with a targeted group of minority high school students in an urban community to increase their motivation for high school science for college preparation. Teachers utilize their newly-gained knowledge to teach students the same sets of skills. This phase brought 24 students to campus for one week to not only have an opportunity to experience university campus living, but also to explore an inquiry-based, STS activity in a community based and university based environment. Students and teachers worked collaboratively in groups of 8-10 with a learning "team" They designed a project, solved a problem using technology-based methodology, and prepared a multimedia presentation of their results.
 
 

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/dwhealth.html
http://www.albright-wilson.com/phosphates/
http://www.vic.waterwatch.org.au/manual/
http://busboy.sped.ukans.edu/kancrn/stream/chemical/index.shtml
http://www.deq.state.ok.us/inorgche.htm
http://www.brickmua.com/wqoct97.html
http://www.camrosa.com/H20rport.htm
http://www.epa.state.il.us/status.html
http://chemistry.miningco.com/library/blwtrmz.htm
http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~aquaria/Faq/begin-chem.html
http://www.epa.gov/Indicator/county/305b/illinois.html
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/
http://www.physics.iastate.edu/gcp/hydro/aspects/aspects.html
http://imc.lisd.k12.mi.us/water.html
http://h2otest.com/waterfaq.html
http://www.webdirectory.com/Water_Resources/
http://www.great-lakes.net/envt/water/water.html

1. HOW CAN YOU BE SURE YOUR WATER IS SAFE?
2. WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF YOUR WATER?
3. WHAT ARE THE HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DRINKING WATER?
                                        What is the greatest health threat?
                                        Are there minerals and chemicals in your tap water?
                                        What chemicals are harmful?
4. HOW IS YOUR TAP WATER PROTECTED FROM ALL OF THESE POTENTIAL
HEALTH RISKS?
5. HOW IS THE SAFETY OF YOUR WATER PROTECTED AFTER TREATMENT?
6. IS THE CHLORINE IN YOUR TAP WATER HARMFUL?
7. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF YOUR TAP?
______________________________________________________________________

8. WHAT IS MEANT BY WASTEWATER TREATMENT?
9. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE STUFF THAT IS TAKEN OUT OF THE WATER?
10. HOW DOES A WASTEWATER PLANT WORKS?
11. WHY ARE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS IMPORTANT?
12. HOW MANY GALLONS OF WATER DOES THE AVERAGE PERSON POLLUTE PER DAY?
13. HOW DO TREATMENT PLANTS PROTECT WATER QUALITY?

 Briefly comment on what is meant by each of the following tests:
Fecal Coliform
pH
Alkalinity
Hardness
Chlorine
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Temperature
Phosphates (PO4-3)
Nitrates (NO3-1)
Turbidity
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

E-mail your comments to: sdiab@stfrancis.edu