Project: Adopt-A-School

     Every semester a group of NYWEA members visit the local middle and high schools to teach students about environmental science and engineering. Clarkson students take one class period and have students participate in experiments that are relevant to water quality.
     The first lab measured and compared the amount of phosphorus in a Racquette River sample with that of a diluted Miracle Grow sample. Students measured the amounts in each using a colorimeter and compared the results with the National Standers. The results showed students how fertilizer and other pollutants that contain high levels of phosphorus affect water quality in negative ways.
     The second experiment involved an ionic exchange experiment using Gatorade. Students helped remove the color from different flavored Gatorades by using an anionic resin. This demonstrated one method of how waste water treatment plants and other industries remove contaminates from water.
     The last experiment demonstrated how red cabbage juice can act as a pH indicator. Students tested substances like vinegar, baking soda, ammonia, and club soda and guessed whether they thought each were an acid or base. Measuring pH is important to environmental engineers and this experiment helped to illustrate that to the students.
     Each lab had questions prepared for students to discuss afterward. Everyone involved enjoyed the experiments and we received a lot of positive reactions from the classes. Many high-school students are unfamiliar with NYWEA so the Adopt-A-School program is a great way to introduce them to the association and the importance of waster water treatment and water quality. We also had time to answer general questions about college life which the students enjoyed since most were seniors in high school.
     Here are some pictures from a previous visit to the Potsdam High school.