Walton Education Foundation

To further students' understanding of real world analytical techniques and "why" science matters. To help them realize the level of investigation they are capable of doing, given access to the right equipment.

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Water Quality Investigation Projects

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School:
South Walton High School 
Subject:
STEM Education 
Teacher:
Samantha Bednar 
Students Impacted:
360 
Grade:
9-12 
Date:
October 10, 2023

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

 

Florida Power & Light - $973.00

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Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 138

This lesson into water chemistry crossed curriculum with environmental sciences, economics, and environmental policy/law. Students were posed with an investigation into the nutrient load on our local waterways. The lesson was supplemented with a video from WFSU on how nutrients have affected oysters beds in Appalachicola Bay. We discussed the economic impact of the loss of oyster production, especially in this touristy prominent area. We recalled the nitrogen cycle from biology and how nutrients impact harmful algal blooms and Red Tide events. We researched sources of nutrient pollution. And then finally headed outside to monitor our own retention ponds around South Walton. Students collected samples and gained experience with quality control and quality assurance by maintaining collection logs, labeling samples, and completing chains of custody. We then used the LaMotte kits to analyze for nutrients and dissolved oxygen; bonus was the analysis of total coliforms (bacteria). Kids really took to the excitement of this. They wanted to sample EVERYTHING! In the end, our investigation had expanded into drinking water (tap water), bottled water, old bottled water someone left in their car for a week, another teachers' fish tank, and the drain line from an AC unit. The results were mostly what I expected them to be. But all made the students pause and ask why...

 

The kids learned about adding phosphates to treated tap water for corrosion control and to bottled water for taste from our results. We learned about how much dissolved oxygen species need and how fish kills happen. We looked at local utility water quality reports and read articles on Wetland Protection policies and the cyanobacteria outbreak in Toledo OH.  Students were really able to see the connection between all these things we've talked about in so many classes and over so many years. It really drove home how complicated environmental policy can be and how our actions have wide spread impact. ..All of this excitement was triggered because your donation allowed these students to analyze their OWN samples and see the results for themselves. That kind of ownership and buyin can't be underestimated. Real learning and connection happened this month all thanks to you. Thank you so, so much!

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Students performing analyses on the nutrient load

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Students collect samples from a retention pond, So

 

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Students performing nutrient analyses on a sample

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Original Grant Overview

Goal

To further students' understanding of real world analytical techniques and "why" science matters. To help them realize the level of investigation they are capable of doing, given access to the right equipment.  

 

What will be done with my students

By supplementing our departments current equipment, we can integrate real world applications of lab techniques into our curriculum.
Students will collect samples, complete mock lab paperwork like a chain of custody, analyze samples for common pollutants, and evaluate data.
Possible tests include nitrates, phosphates, pH, temperature, suspended solids, alkalinity, hardness, total coliforms, etc. (things common in water quality tests).
Students will draw stream profiles and calculate flow rates and discharge volumes.  

 

Benefits to my students

Students could use this equipment for Science Fair projects, making them more eligible to compete at the Regional and State level.
Students could use these resources for AP Research projects, or with other classes (AP Environmental, Biology, Marine Science, even Human Geography/Econ).
Students can experience biological, chemical, and engineering (and physics) applications of science in a multitude of career and college disciplines.
These resources can reinforce critical thinking, experimental design, quality research and project management skills.  

 

Budget Narrative

I've curated the best selection of materials to supplement what we already have access to and items that are easy for students to use with the limited lab experience they have at this point in their academic careers. Supplies will be purchased from three common SciEd vendors and at the best possible prices.  

 

Items

# Item Cost
1 Total Coliform, LaMotte kit $151.00
2 Dissolved Oxygen kit, LaMotte kit $47.00
3 dropper bottles (for reagents) $187.00
4 sterile whirl-pak sample bags, 500pk $147.00
5 Secchi disk (water turbidity) $31.00
6 Ammonia, LaMotte kit $43.00
7 Phosphates, LaMotte kit $35.00
8 Nitrates, LaMotte kit $40.00
9 tape measure, 30m $16.00
10 meter sticks, x10 $42.00
11 compound microscope $234.00
  Total: $973.00

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Special Thanks to Our Presenting Partners

CHELCO

The Alys Foundation

St. Joe Community Foundation

Florida Power & Light

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