Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Chris Groenhout Dan Wolz Clean Water Education Grant
Chris Groenhout graduated from Michigan State
University with a degree in biology and a minor in
chemistry. He has a masters degree in Biology and is
currently finishing up his masters degree in
Educational Technology at MSU.
Chris grew up with an appreciation for our
amazing freshwater resources here in Michigan
and seeks to impart that appreciation in his
students. He has been teaching for 13 years
and is currently teaching chemistry and AP
Environmental Science at Grandville High
School near Grand Rapids.
By Chris Groenhout With Funding from the Michigan Water
Environmental Association and the Grandville Education Association
Aquarium Science as a Model for Teaching Water Quality in Chemistry and AP
Environmental Science
http://chrisgroenhout.weebly.com
Support for Model Based Instruction
• Relevance - For students to truly learn, they must make a connection between what they are seeing and what they already know.
• Modeling - Visual, tactile access to concepts help make connections and clarify understanding.
• Foundation for Context - Not all student come to class with the same experiences but can all have the same in-class experiences to relate to and discuss.
The Goal – Better Understanding of Water
• Preconceptions − Water − Bacteria − Dirt
• Lacking understanding of… − Solubility of solids − Solubility of gasses − Effects of pH − Nitrogen Cycle − Testing techniques − The variety of bacteria − Human impact − Clear understanding of “Clean Water” − Lack of appreciation for clean water
in a National and Global context.
Getting Past the “Colbert Mentality”
The Goal – APES
• AP Environmental Science Course Description (College Board)
•
• Global Water Resources and Use (Freshwater/saltwater; ocean circulation; agricultural, industrial, and domestic use; surface and groundwater issues; global problems; conservation)
•
• Natural Biogeochemical Cycles
• (Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, water, conservation of matter)
•
• Fishing (Fishing techniques; overfishing; aquaculture; relevant laws and treaties)
•
• Water pollution (Types; sources, causes, and effects; cultural eutrophication; groundwater pollution; maintaining water quality; water purification; sewage treatment/septic systems; Clean Water Act and other relevant laws)
The Goal - Chem
• Chemistry (Michigan High School Content Expectations)
•
• C5.7B Predict products of an acid-base neutralization.
• C5.7C Describe tests that can be used to distinguish an acid from a base.
• C5.7D Classify various solutions as acidic or basic, given their pH.
• C5.7E Explain why lakes with limestone or calcium carbonate experience less adverse effects from acid rain than lakes with granite beds.
•
• C5.7x Brønsted-Lowry Chemical reactions are classified according to the fundamental molecular or submolecular changes that occur. Reactions that involve proton transfer are known as acid/base reactions.
• C5.7f Write balanced chemical equations for reactions between acids and bases and perform calculations with balanced equations.
• C5.7g Calculate the pH from the hydronium ion or hydroxide ion concentration.
• C5.7h Explain why sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain.
Freshwater Tank
The Coral Reef
• GEF Grant Funded, teacher maintained, student tested.
The Coral Reef
• Test salinity to discuss concentrations. • Test pH to discuss buffers and
acidification. − The Acid Test Movie
• Test Nitrates, Nitrites and Ammonia to discuss the nitrogen cycle.
• Test calcium to discuss acidification effects on organisms.
Coral Propagation
• Student run only. No teacher support
Coral Propagation
• Current Project • Business venture • Responsibility • Importance of Tolerance
Range
Duck Weed Experiments
The Data
Wastewater Treatment
Getting there but…
• Students were still not making a personal connection
• Bring on the Salmon − We could have them in class − Michigan Economy − Invasive Species − High water quality requirements
The Salmon in The Classroom
• Students feed and check chemicals. • Responsibility and Life Cycle
The Salmon in The Classroom
The Salmon in the Classroom
The Testing Equipment
The Rewards
• Students loving meaningful science!
The Rewards
• Students loving meaningful science!
Already Paying Off
• Student projects • School Funding • Private funding
By Chris Groenhout With Funding from the Michigan Water
Environmental Association and the Grandville Education Association
Aquarium Science as a Model for Teaching Chemistry and AP Environmental Science
Thank You!
http://chrisgroenhout.weebly.com
