Download Impact of Service-Learning on Water Quality

The Impact of Water Quality
on Service Learning
Presenter: Waneene C. Dorsey, MAT, PhD
Grambling State University
.
Water Quality Service Learning Model
Water Quality
Training
Service Learning
Teachers
K-12
Legislative dollars
Civic
Engagement
Knowledge
transfer
College
Students
Information
transfer
Public
Awareness
Parents
National Impact of
Service Learning Activity
• The potential impact of the water quality service learning
activities is closely associated with the Clean Water Act
(CWA), Public Law 92 500.
• The main of goal CWA is to restore and maintain the
chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's
waters so that they can support “the protection and
propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation
in and on the water.”
• In other words the goal of the CWA is to make all water
safe enough to swim and fish in, but only 66% of our
waters meet this goal.
Water Use in the Community
Water is vital to human life and to the health of the
environment.
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supplying drinking water
recreation (swimming, boating)
irrigating crops and watering stock
waterandwells.com/images/water.jpg
industrial processes
navigation and shipping
production of edible fish, shellfish and crustaceans
protection of aquatic ecosystems
wildlife habitats
scientific study and education
The Water Cycle
pH
Temperature
Dissolved
oxygen
Phosphorus
Nitrates
http://cd7.e2bn.net/e2bn/leas/c99/schools/cd7/website/BluePlanet.htm
Rainfall causes contaminants such as pesticides and fertilizers
to move in the water to other areas. Some chemicals can be
toxic to fish and deplete their oxygen supply.
What is Water Quality?
• Water quality is commonly defined by its physical,
chemical, biological and aesthetic (appearance and
smell) characteristics.
• When water quality supports a rich and diverse
community of organisms and protects public health, the
environment is considered to be healthy one.
• Water quality is compromised when chemicals are
released into the environment.
• When drainage is limited, exposure to toxic wastewater
can cause health problems.
Water Quality Service Learning Outreach
for Students and Teachers
Community and University Levels
Oil and Gasoline Products
• A State of Louisiana Highway runs in the middle of GSU
Campus.
Pedestrian
walkway
Pedestrian
walkway
Petroleum
products
Adverse Health Effects
• Toxic water can make you
sick!
• When storm drains are
clogged, surface water
becomes slow moving and
remains in the parking lots
and on the street.
• Inhalation or dermal
contact are exposure
routes.
Clean Storm Water Drains
• Storm water drains are important
because, when it rains, pollutants
from vehicles such as oil,
antifreeze, gasoline, and other
solvents are washed into the
storm water drains.
• When storm water drains are
clogged with debris, water cannot
drain properly.
Water Quality Service Learning
“Go Green”
• “Go green” is a fundamental
concept for environmental
awareness. It is a national
initiative for keeping our
campus clean and the
environment safe.
• Campus storm water drains
are strategically located on the
curbs of streets and on
impervious areas such as
parking lots to prevent flooding
from heavy rainfall.
The Importance of Service Learning Activity
• Flooding and pollution could
potentially occur. As a service
learning activity, students
removed various types of refuse
from the grills of storm drains
such as plastic and glass bottles,
aluminum cans, paper, cups, and
grass clippings.
• Exposure to toxic surface water
containing petroleum by
products
adversely affects
.
Respiratory and Nervous
Systems.
K-12 Teachers Learn Water Quality
through Service Learning
Teachers are big kids who learn. Some of them
are really into it, while some are thinking about
the next step.
K-12 Science Teachers
Each teacher was given a water quality monitoring kit.
Teachers will engage their students in water quality
activities.
Significance of Service Learning
Activity for Teachers
• Increased knowledge and assessment skills with regard
to the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of water
quality investigations.
• Increased teacher awareness and understanding of
some of the more significant global water quality issues
that face science teachers and their students in the 21st
century.
Service Learning Activity
Grambling City Park Pond
Significance of Activity
• GSU Students evaluated and monitored the pond water
in Grambling City Park by examining the following
parameters: ph, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, ammonia
nitrogen, nitrates, phosphate, chlorine, turbidity, and
coliform tests.
• Previously, a letter was sent to the Mayor to
acknowledge that the water quality for aquatic life in the
pond was good.
• The letter to the Mayor also demonstrated the student
civic engagement.
Acknowledgements
• GSU, Service Learning – Dr. Rory Bedford
• United States Environmental Protection Agency
• BIOL 315: Water Quality Management Class
References
• The Clean Water Act.
www.epa.gov/watertrain/cwa
• Water quality.
http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/pdfs/wqfaq.pdf
• Water quality.
http://cd7.e2bn.net/e2bn/leas/c99/schools/cd7/w
ebsite/BluePlanet.htm
• http://waterandwells.com/images/water.jpg