Greenhouse Gases to Nuclear Energy: Laboratory Exercises to Accompany Introduction to Environmental Chemistry

1. Greenhouse Gases to Nuclear Energy: Laboratory Exercises to Accompany Introduction to Environmental Chemistry Cindy DeForest Hauser, Department of Chemistry, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035 Goal Outcomes Objectives The goal of this project is to develop laboratory modules to accompany an introductory environmental chemistry course. These modules will provide students with exposure to the scientific method by presenting them with a question in an applied context, the analytical tools to obtain information useful in addressing the question and the challenge of drawing a conclusion based on the data obtained, where there is no right or known answer. Regardless of major, every student will graduate and become part of a society where resources are limited and interactions with the environment have ramifications. For the non-science major, this course will provide background and experience in applying scientific principles. The knowledge and skills gained in this course will be important in the future when they are called to interpret, understand and act on the information provided by government agencies, profit and non-profit groups and the media. • To develop hands-on activities in environmental sampling of air, water and soil. • To provide experience with laboratory techniques including gravimetric, titrimetric, spectroscopic, separations and electrochemical methods. • To develop students ability to analyze and interpret data. • To provide an opportunity to evaluate results in the context of a larger issue. • To encourage presentation of results to a general audience. Approach Module 1 – The Atmosphere • In the laboratory • the students will be presented with an environmental scenario • sampling strategies will be discussed and deployed • samples and standards will be prepared and analyzed • data will be analyzed using appropriate software • results will be interpreted in the context of the original hypothesis and regulatory or literature values • reports will be written to a targeted audience Sampling Strategies • Site selection? • Number of samples? • Representative sample? • Collection? • Storage? • Preparation? Module 2 – The Hydrosphere Module 3 – The Geosphere Module 4 – The Biosphere Module 5 – Energy Evaluation/Assessment Reporting Requirements • In the classroom, pre and post-assessments of chemical and environmental base knowledge as well as perception of current environmental issues will be administered. • In the laboratory, students will be provided with case studies at the beginning and end of the semester for which they will be asked to provide a critical analysis. • The development and analysis of assessments will be performed in consultation with a colleague in the psychology department who specializes in statistical analysis of assessment. • The Science and Math – Values Inventory assessment will also be incorporated to provide standardized data. In addition to reporting observations, calculations, graphs, etc. for individual experiments students are required to prepare summative module reports in formats appropriate to target audiences. Dissemination • On-campus via a teaching group discussion • Poster prepared and presented during the Chemical Education section of the South Eastern Regional American Chemical Society Meeting in the Fall of 2007 • All materials will be made available to other institutions through the course website • Student intern presentation of general goals and first two modules of assessment analysis at North Carolina Academy of Science Meeting in the Spring of 2007 • Opportunities to present the results of this project at ACS or other workshops will also be utilized. Tentative Laboratory Schedule Timeline References 1. Boehnke, D.N. and Delumyea, R.D.; Laboratory Experiments in Environmental Chemistry; Prentice Hall (New Jersey) 2000. 2. Girard, J.E. and Buell, P.E.; “Laboratory Manual for Chemistry Fundamentals an Environmental Perspective; Jones and Bartlett (Massachusetts) 2003. 3. American Chemical Society; Laboratory Manual for Chemistry in Context Applying Chemistry to Society; McGraw Hill (New York) 2003. 4. Willey, J.D., Avery, G.B. Jr., Manock, J.J. and Skrabal, S.A.; “Chemical Analysis of Soils: An Environmental Chemistry Laboratory for Undergraduate Science Majors”; 1999, JChemEd., 76(12),1693-1694. 5. Lieberman, M.; “A Brine Shrimp Bioassay for Measuring Toxicity and Remediation of Chemicals”; 1999, JChemEd, 76(12), 1689-1691. Acknowledgements Associated Colleges of the South Science Reform Program W. M. Keck Foundation of Los Angeles Davidson College