Middle School Teacher Guidelines and Resources:

For Conducting Arsenic Research Activities

By Bobbie Coleman

 

 

1.      Introduction to arsenic

        An extended overview of the significance of arsenic poisoning in the world

 

2.         Have students perform an Internet study on “Arsenic in our Environment.”

Identify sources of arsenic in local and global environments.

a.       PTW structures; playground equipment, fences, decks, steps, etc.

b.      Arsenic in Bangladesh

c.       Water runoff from PTW structures

d.      Soil around PTW structure

e.       Soil from apple orchards

f.        Soil near cemeteries

g.       Natural groundwater sources; rivers, streams, ponds

 

Compare Internet findings of students with background information provided in #1.

• Have students perform Internet study on “Arsenic in our Environment.”

• Identify sources of arsenic in local and global environments.

 

        PTW structures; playground equipment, fences, decks, steps, etc.

        Arsenic in Bangladesh

        Water runoff from PTW structures

       Soil around PTW structure

         Soil from apple orchards

       Soil near cemeteries

        Natural groundwater sources; rivers, streams, ponds

•          Compare Internet findings of students with background information provided in the Teacher Guidelines and Resources.

•          Possible sites to get stated:

             EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

             WHO (World Health Organization)

 

 

3.         Introduction to the scientific method.

            Helpful hints

 

4.         Introduction to safety in the laboratory

          

5.         Hands-on preliminary experiments, introducing how arsenic gets into our local environment.

a.       Water cycle model

b.      Groundwater model

c.      Blue Thumb Water Search

d.      Word Scrabble

 

6.         Getting Ready to Test for Arsenic

a.       Have students observe as teacher performs test on known arsenic containing samples.  

b.      Have student record what is being observed using the scientific method.

c.       During the 30-minute wait time in the test, give students a lecture on the chemical reactions that take place during each step of the test.

 

7.         Arsenic studies done by a previous STEM fellow and STEM teacher.

 

8.         Arsenic studies done by past students; other possible arsenic research topics.

 

9.         Have current students identify research topics and bring samples for arsenic testing.

 

10.       Have students perform arsenic testing & document research projects, using the

scientific method.

 

11.       Teachers post student research findings with UMass; with photos & artifacts.