Investigations for 6-12 Classrooms

Teachers

Environmental Water Chemistry in the Middle School Classroom

The ACS-CERM (American Chemical Society-Central Regional Meeting) 2019 STEM team are launching a “REGIONAL” experiment equipping middle school classrooms with NGSS aligned environmental water quality chemistry activities. The activities cover many STEM NGSS categories and integrate categories outside of science to providing in-classroom, robust, and fully implementable program.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITY: Fresh water chemical analysis training for your classroom

Environmental science encompasses all STEM disciplines and presents a very real example right outside your classroom window. Experiencing the chemistry of this vast field will equip students with the problem solving tools to work through the challenges their generation will face in the coming years. The analysis of key markers in the environment (P, N, turbidity, pH, temperature, etc.) incorporates numerous chemistry concepts and materials. By exploring these chemistries, students will collect data, analyze, and share with classrooms across the region.

LESSON PLANS: designed to meet science, writing, math, geography, standards

This novel project design leverages the scientific expertise of ACS professionals, providing their STEM expertise, has options for high school students to provide volunteer in-classroom help, and multi-level design approach for teacher implementation (from an activity or 2 all the way to complete immersion). The environmental science at the core of this STEM experience is very time relevant, affords the opportunity to perform “real” science measurements, and through the geographic web design creates a regional community of next generation scientist understanding the science of their environment.

WORKSHOP: 2 days on beautiful Beaver Island, Michigan

Workshop will feature hands-on training with water quality measurements. From classroom kits to research scientist instrumentation, and in-field experiences. Work with CMU and SVSU scientists as well as veteran classroom teachers to put the science into manageable, practical lesson plans. The trip is sponsored by CMU and NSF and is all-expenses paid from Charlevoix MI. (Includes round-trip ferry ticket, 2 nights lodging at the CMU Biological Station, meals, and transportation on the island.) Departure is August 9, 2018 from the Beaver Island Boat Co. dock and workshop concludes Saturday Aug. 11th with return to the same location.

CROWD SOURCE YOUR DATA: interactive web sharing & in-person at CERM 2019

The ACS-CERM 2019 wants your data to be available via web and shared at the 2019 meeting in Midland MI June 4-8th, 2019. Meet the scientist behind the chemistry, join classrooms from across the great lakes region, earn an all expense paid field trip for yourself and students, and be a part of the launch something wonderful for the next generation of scientists.