Arsenic Research Activities
Conducted by Chestnut Middle School Teacher Uma Palreddy
and UMass STEM Fellow Bobbie Coleman
(Sample Parent Permission Form for Child to Participate in Arsenic Research)
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Your child has been given an outstanding opportunity to participate in an exciting one-year research project sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the University of Massachusetts. A former research scientist and a STEM fellow from the University of Massachusetts, Ms. Bobbie Coleman, will be in the classroom 1-2 days per week to guide students through the scientific inquiry activities needed to form a firm scientific foundation as we participate in the selected research topic of “Arsenic Pollution In Our Environment.” Through very controlled laboratory procedures we will investigate the presence of very small, trace amount of arsenic that may be present in our environments that may be hazardous to our health. Although, arsenic is a naturally occurring element in our earth’s crust, and has been used in many man-made products, there is a limit to the amount that is safe for human exposure. Our class will learn the safe amount of arsenic for human exposure, how arsenic pollution or poisoning affects the human body, and what legal agencies are doing about arsenic in our environment. Students will be looking for very small, trace amounts of arsenic in their immediate environments. Throughout the school year, students will be collecting water samples, soil samples, plant samples, and samples from wooden structures. Samples will be tested, data analyzed, conclusions drawn, reports written, and the project will end with student presentations in the form of a science fair to be held at the University of Massachusetts at the end of the school year.
Throughout this project and especially at the end of the project, there will be a need to document the work with photographs, videotapes, and interviews of the students in the program. The National Science Foundation and the University of Massachusetts for certain, and educational magazines, local newspapers, television, and other parties may form an interest in our program. Therefore it becomes important for us to know what students have and what student do not have permission by parents to be photographed, video taped, or interviewed. Student names will never be used in National Science Foundation or the University of Massachusetts reports. However, names may be used by local news and TV media.
Thank you for your support,
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____ I DO NOT give my child______________________________________permission to be
videotaped or photographed.
_____ I DO NOT give my child______________________________________permission to be
interviewed.
_____ I DO NOT give permission to use my child’s name.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_____ I DO give my child________________________________________permission to be: (Check all
that apply)
____ photographed _____pictured in newspapers ___on television
____ on school or UMass websites _____interviewed ___videotaped
____ pictured in magazines _____pictured at conferences ___name used
Parent Signature: ____________________________________________Date:_____________________
Student Signature__________________________________________________Date:______________
(Sample Classroom Activities)
1. Four classrooms of 105 total students participated in the Arsenic Group Immersion Project. Students were given an assignment to explore their home environments for the possible presence of arsenic contaminations. Each student had to decide if they were going to collect a water, soil, or wood wipe sample.
2. Each student was given written procedures and kits to collect soil, water, or wood wipe samples (See Form in Package). To collect soil, students were given a Ziploc bag, spoon, and labels. To collect water samples, students were given rubber gloves, a 50ml container, labels, and a Ziploc bag. To collect wood wipe samples, students were given rubber gloves, filter paper wet with distilled water in a Ziploc bag, and labels.
3. Students were given one week to collect samples.
4. As an introduction to Arsenic testing, the class teacher and the UMass STEM Fellow performed arsenic testing of samples brought to school by the class teacher from her home vegetable garden that has a border built with pressure treated wood (PTW). The samples included tomato plants from the garden, soil from the vegetable garden, and soil from a point over 30 feet from the vegetable garden. Students were given a sheet (see forms in package) which provided a template that allowed them to follow the testing, step-by-step using the scientific method.
a. Observing the testing and following the information provided on the handout, students acquired information necessary to prepare them to test and document the samples that they were bringing to school from their home environments.
5. On the day before student testing, each student weighed and labeled 1 gram of their soil samples. Random students were asked to weigh 1-3 extra 1gram samples. These extra samples were given to students who failed to bring in samples, to ensure that all students had a chance to experience performing arsenic testing. These duplicate samples also served as quality control checks.
6. On the day of the testing, five of graduate students from Julian Tyson’s chemistry lab at UMass assisted students in performing arsenic testing.
7. During the 30-minute wait period during the arsenic testing, students documented their activity, using the scientific method into their lab notebooks. They recorded the type of arsenic sample (soil, water, wood wipe) they tested, the location where their samples were collected, and observations noted during testing. At the end of the testing, students recorded their test results.
8. During the next class period, students discussed the significance of their test results and asked pertinent questions about their observations and discoveries. Discussions included identifying where the highest concentration of arsenic were found, and identifying places that were safe from arsenic. Questions included, “how did arsenic get there, and how can we get rid of it.”
9. Students were placed into groups of 2-4 to do Internet searches on the questions that were generated from analyzing the results of the arsenic testing. Each group prepared PowerPoint presentations of their test results along with their questions and answers that emerged from their test results.
10. All student test results were compiled and reported to UMass.
a. Test results were compiled into two categories, those with non-harmful levels of arsenic and those with arsenic concentrations above the levels determined to be harmful
(>10 PPB in water) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Students who found extremely high levels of arsenic contamination, like 300-500 PPB, were encouraged to collect additional large amounts of soil from their original collection sites, to do various follow-on group research projects, that involved growing various plants and vegetables to determine which plants had the tendency to absorb arsenic from soil containing large amounts of arsenic.
Students in groups of 3-4 designed research projects and selected seeds of flowers and vegetables that they wanted to grow in the arsenic contaminated soils. Samples grown in regular potting soil were used as controls.
Vocabulary
1. Scientific Method The steps that scientists use to answer questions and solve problems. The goal is to come up with reliable answers and solutions to problems
2. Inquiry A search for truth and knowledge using careful examination. A quest for information.
3. Aqueous A solution in which water is the solvent.
4. Aquifer A Layer of permeable rocks that allow water to move freely.
5. Viscous Having a resistance to flow.
6. Viscosity The state of being viscous, measured by the resistance to flow.
7. Observe To watch carefully.
8. Observation The gathering of information by noting facts and occurrences.
9. Investigate To study by examination and systematic inquiry.
10. Property A special quality of something.
11. Arsenic A solid poisonous element. Also classified as a carcinogen.
12. Carcinogen A substance capable of causing cancer.
13. PPB Part(s) per billion. 10 PPB is the limit of arsenic in water set by the EPA and WHO.
14. EPA Environmental Protection Agency
15. WHO World Health Organization
Procedure to Collect Samples for the Arsenic Project
By STEM Fellow Bobbie Coleman
Collecting Water Samples
1. Obtain from teacher, at least two 50 ml vials, protective gloves, and a Ziploc bag.
2. Identify collection site by completing the back of this page.
3. Write your name, date, time, and location on each sample with a permanent marker, or make a label with the following information and tape label to the Ziploc bag.*
Example:
Student Name(s)_______________________________ _______________________________________________________
Date collected: _________________________________Time__________________________________________________
Location: (Example: Park, Playground, cemetery, porch/deck at home)___________________________________________
4. Wear protective gloves, put a small amount of sample into each of the 50 ml plastic vials obtained from teacher and rinse vials before filling with sample to be tested.
5. Put sample vials into the Ziploc bag and place in a safe place to avoid damage to the vials.
* Teacher will inspect each student sample. If a label is used, teacher will instruct each student to use a teacher supplied permanent marker, and place their names on each vial.
Collecting Soil Samples
1. Obtain from teacher, one Ziploc bag, and one plastic spoon for each sample to be collected.
2. Identify collection site by completing back of this page.
3. Write your name, date, time, and location of sample on each Ziploc bag with a permanent marker, or
make a label with the following information and tape label to each Ziploc bag.
Example:
Student Name(s)_______________________________ _______________________________________________________
Date collected: _________________________________Time__________________________________________________
Location: (Example: Park, Playground, cemetery, porch/deck at home)___________________________________________
4. Put 2-3 spoons of soil into each Ziploc bag.
5. Place sample(s) in a safe container to avoid damage to Ziploc bag.
Collecting Wipe Samples From Wood Sources
1. Obtain from teacher, a Ziploc bag that has filter paper soaking in a very small amount of distilled water.
2. Identify collection site by completing the complete back of this page.
3. Write your name, date, time, and location on sample with a permanent marker on the Ziploc bag, or
make a label with the following information and tape label to each Ziploc bag.
Example:
Student Name(s)_______________________________ _______________________________________________________
Date collected: _________________________________Time__________________________________________________
Location: (Example: Park, Playground, cemetery, porch/deck at home)___________________________________________
4. Wear protective gloves, take wet filter paper out of bag and wipe wood 3 times, and put back into bag.
5. Place sample in a safe container to avoid damage to Ziploc bag.
Sample Location and Site Diagram
Sample Location
1. Describe Location of sample:
Date collected: _________________________________Time__________________________________________________
Location: (Example: Park, Playground, cemetery, porch/deck at home)___________________________________________
2. Give Specifics:
If Soil Sample: was it top soil? 6 inches deep? 10 inches deep? Or other depth?
If Water Sample: was it from a pond, lake, standing puddle, or other collecting source of water?
If near wooden PTW structures, indicate the distance by inches and feet.
If Wood Wipe Sample: where on wood structure was wipe taken, like front, back, 6 inches from ground, etc.
Site Diagram
1. Use sketches, diagrams, or photos to describe place and area around place where sample was taken.
Diagram should show exact place where sample was taken. Indicate distance measurements from known objects. See teacher for example.
NAME:________________________________________
Date_______________
TITLE: Observing Arsenic Testing
PURPOSE: To observe my classmates or teachers perform arsenic testing on samples that they collected from various sources.
Names of Students Where Samples Where Collected
1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________________________
4.____________________________________________________________________________
HYPOTHESIS: I think that if arsenic is present in the samples, the students should be able to find it using the Hach Arsenic Test Kit.
PROCEDURE: Use the following materials:
Hach Test Kit Timer
Gloves Ziploc bags or plastic vials
Lab Coats Plastic spoons
Safety Goggles
Steps:
1. Collect and label samples using procedures given by teacher. Soil samples are collected in plastic Ziploc bags, water samples are collected in plastic vials, PTW wipe samples are colleted in plastic Ziploc bags after wiping wood structures with wet filter paper.
2. Use procedures in the Hach Arsenic Test Kit to test the samples.
a. Place test strip in cap on vial, and add sample to test vial.
b. If water sample, add sample to 50 ml mark. If soil sample, add 1gram of soil, then add water to 50 ml mark.
c. Add packet with reagent #1, swirl to mix.
d. Add packet with reagent #2, swirl to mix, wait 3 minutes.
e. Add packet with reagent #3, wait 2 minutes, swirl again.
f. Use scoop provided, add 1 scoop of reagent #4, swirl to mix.
g. Add packet with reagent #5, immediately attach cap with test strip, do not mix.
h. Allow to react, swirl twice during 30 minutes. Read results after 30 minutes.
OBSERVATIONS:
RESULTS: Names of Students PPB of Arsenic Detected
1.___________________________________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________________________________
3._______________________________________________________________
CONCLUSIONS: Arsenic is present over 10 PPB at ___________________________________
There is very little or no arsenic at __________________________________
There is a dangerous amount of arsenic at______________________________
Name:_____________________________ Date_________________
TITLE: Performing Arsenic Testing
PURPOSE: To perform arsenic testing on samples that I and other students have collected
from various sources.
Names of Students Supplying Sample Where Samples Where Collected
1. ____________________________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________________________
HYPOTHESIS: If arsenic is present in the samples, it should be detected using the Hach Arsenic Test Kit.
PROCEDURE: Use the following materials:
Hach Test Kit Timer
Gloves Ziploc bags or plastic vials
Lab Coats Plastic spoons
Safety Goggles
Steps:
1. Collect and label samples using procedures given by teacher. Soil samples are collected in plastic Ziploc bags, water samples are collected in plastic vials, PTW wipes samples are collected in plastic Ziploc bags after wiping wood structures with wet filter paper.
2. Use procedures in the Hach Arsenic Test Kit to test the samples.
a. Place test strip in cap on vial, and add sample to test vial.
b. For water sample, add sample to 50 ml mark. For soil sample, add 1gram of soil, then add water to 50 ml mark. For wipe samples, add filter paper wipes to test vial and add water to 50 ml mark.
c. Add packet with reagent #1, swirl to mix.
d. Add packet with reagent #2, swirl to mix, wait 3 minutes.
e. Add packet with reagent #3, wait 2 minutes, swirl again.
f. Use scoop provided, add 1 scoop of reagent #4, swirl to mix.
g. Add packet with reagent #5, immediately attach cap with test strip, do not mix.
h. Allow to react, swirl twice during 30 minutes. Read results after 30 minutes.
OBSERVATIONS:
RESULTS: Names of Students Supplying Samples PPB of Arsenic Detected
1. _____________________________________________________________________________
2._____________________________________________________________________________
CONCLUSIONS: Arsenic is present over 10 PPB at ____________________________________
There is very little or no arsenic at ____________________________________
There is a dangerous amount of arsenic at_______________________________