Earthworks
Earth System Science for Secondary Teachers

Mary Ann Murphy and Angie Albrecht (Earthworks 1999)
armur@pawneenet.com

Water Quality Study: South Platte/Platte River (East of Greeley, CO/Grand Island, NE)

What: A long term study (school year) on the chemical changes that occur in the Platte River in Colorado and Nebraska.

Why:

Students will be able to participate in a long term research project to understand that science is a PROCESS and not a product. It will be an ongoing study throughout the year.

Students will learn research skills, measuring skills and the scientific method Students will see long-term effects and also that the river is continuous.

What:

• Colorado does to affect the water also affects people in Nebraska.
• See how the river changes from one area to another
• Students will think more "globally" ó it's not just their river

Who:

• Angie: Chem 1-2 students (5 classes)
• Mary Ann: integrated science (5 classes)
• These students will communicate with one another using e-mail to exchange data.
• When will we do it?
• 2 times/semester (2nd week Sept., 1st week Dec., mid-Feb.., mid-May)

Resources needed:

• Chem supplies
• Lab procedures
• CBLs (borrow from nearby university?)
• Internet access (e-mail)

How:

• Nurture student involvement through:
• Extra credit for field work
• Student research (what is important to them)
• E-mailing data/comparing water quality between areas

Fit into curriculum: Water unit Diff. chem applications