Water sample analysis (40 samples) at Lumigen Lab at $25/sample for heavy metals and PFAS = $1000.
Bottled Water (Various bottled water – differing in sources,
treatment, and packaging) = $100
Other supplies (water cups, water bottles) = $100
I facilitate a class project over the course of a semester to provide Gen Ed course ESG
1500 students the opportunity to experience the scientific method focused on real-world
water quality issues and then communicate their experience to a community outside of the classroom. Specifically, the materials requested in the budget allow for a class project that includes: (1) knowledge development with place-based, experiential, hands-on
approaches, (2) designing and conducting a class research study or experiment and (3)
communicating their knowledge and experience to audiences outside of the classroom.
Project: Drinking Water Quality, Maximum Contaminant Levels, and Remediation
Experiential Interdisciplinary Knowledge Development. We will learn about various use
water quality issues in Michigan for context (e.g. Nestle bottled groundwater, Flint water
crisis). We will learn about different types of contaminants in our water system (e.g. lead
and other metals, PFAS and forever chemicals, microorganisms) and their sources. We
will learn how water quality impacts public health. We will learn how the different sources
of water we drink from could become contaminated. We will learn about environmental
justice in water quality issues. We will learn about maximum contaminant levels and how
(and if) they are monitored and reported for our drinking water sources. We will learn how
these can be treated.
Ask a Question. Together the students will work together in guided discussions to ask a
question based on the knowledge they have gained. Background Research. Students will
research on their question to discover what is already known and what data are already
available regarding their research question.
Construct Hypotheses. In the classroom, students will read literature on hypothesis development, practice writing hypotheses and then use what they have learned to create strong testable hypotheses related to their research question. Through a consensus-building exercise, the class will decide on the final hypotheses that will move forward.
Design and Conduct an Study/Experiment.
Through guided classroom activities, students will design a study or experiment to test
their hypotheses. The class will conduct the study or experiment together. Water quality
samples will be analyzed by WSU’s Lumigen Instrument Center.
Analyze Data and Draw Conclusions. Water quality and any other data will be distributed to the class in small groups. Each group will analyze the data independently and draft up their conclusions.
Show and Tell. Each group will report back their findings to the larger group. As a group
we will come together to define the key results of the study and discuss how those could
be presented to certain audiences.
The pilot project was funded through an OTL Education Development Grant in 2021. Now that we have seen that this pilot project was a success, we are hoping to continue the ability to analyze water samples and present project results by implementing new course fees for ESG 1500.