SWEET HOME PROJECT

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SWEET HOME PROJECT Crescent Valley High
School 2nd Semester 2003-2004
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Inter-disciplinary Approach
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This years project

• Continues work from the previous two years AP
  Physics classes.
• 2nd Semester classes will build from 1st Semester
  work.
• Provides opportunities to showcase student
  achievement throughout year.
• Funded by 10,000 Toyota Tapestry Grant.

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Why this project?Why Authentic Learning?

• Provides meaningful context a reason to learn
  beyond a grade.
• It is consistent with all national science
  education standards.
• Students learn science best by doing science.

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Trademarks of authentic learning

• Learning takes place beyond classroom.
• Students working with community members (public,
  business, researchers).
• Students pursue their own inquiries.
• Open-ended activities.
• Multiple-discipline approach required.
• Identifies future areas for investigation.

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How did we get here?

• 2001 High arsenic (20 100 PPM) discovered in
  fossilized wood found near Sweet Home (upper
  crustal average 1.5 PPM).
• 2001 Via his own investigation, Erwin Schutfort
  discovers Sweet Homes arsenic history (1998 USGS
  study).

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• 2000 Mr. Kirsch meets Erwin Schutfort
• 2001 Identified as a potential context for
  student pursuit of real science.

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SPRING 2002

• Initial investigation CVHS AP Physics.
• Class goal classification of extent of
  arsenic-containing material.
• Assumption arsenic containing material
  contributing to arsenic in groundwater.

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SPRING 2002 -- ACTIVITES

• Students decide on goals / objectives.
• Students identify areas to be sampled.
• 92 samples collected.
• Samples processed at CVHS.
• Samples analyzed with Neutron Activation Analysis
  (NAA) at OSUs nuclear research reactor.

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2002 RESULTS
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2002 -- CONCLUSIONS

• Majority of high-arsenic samples found along Ames
  Creek Rd.
• All arsenic-rich samples were either soil or
  bedrock.
• Testing suggests that pressure-treated wood in
  the ground appears to contaminate adjacent soil
  (112.6 PPM vs. 3.9 PPM).
• Findings suggest expanding testing around Ames
  Creek.

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SPRING 2003

• 2nd Phase CVHS AP Physics and Honors Biology
  Students
• Class goal Attempt to further characterize the
  extent of arsenic-rich material in the Ames Creek
  area.

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SPRING 2003 -- ACTIVITES

• 83 samples collected.
• Samples processed at CVHS.
• Samples analyzed for arsenic using NAA at OSUs
  research nuclear reactor.

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2003 RESULTS
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2003 CONCLUSIONS

• Arsenic concentration is higher along Ames Creek
  Road than downstream at Sankey Park.
• Bedrock gtSoilgtPlant
• Arsenic concentration varies along Ames Creek
  Road.

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1st SEM. 03-04 FINDINGS

• Correlation between arsenic content, rock types,
  and other elements.
• Correlation between plant arsenic (ferns) and
  soil concentration.
• Initial development of in-the-field arsenic tests
  (Marsh test, pH, conductivity).
• Enhanced mapping of arsenic-containing material.

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PLANS FOR THIS SEMESTER

• Expand past research.
• Eventual presentations to Sweet Home officials
  and at science fairs.
• Multi-discipline teams of students.
• Students will pursue their own inquiries
• Students must begin by coming up with a question
  they wish to pursue.

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2ND SEMESTER FOCUS

• What is the extent of arsenic containing material
  in the proximity of Sweet Home?
• What is the mechanism by which arsenic enters the
  areas groundwater?
• What, if any, is the impact of existing arsenic
  on local ecosystems?

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2nd SEMESTER PLAN

• 150 Total INAA samples
• Samples assigned to individual groups
• ALL groups collect the SAME data for each sample
• Groups will use collective sample set
• Groups selected on individual interest in one of
  three major categories

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MAJOR TOPIC AREAS

• Geology / Arsenic Characterization
• Chemistry
• Biological Impact

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Geology / Arsenic Characterization

• Improve arsenic mapping in Sweet Home.
• Spatial/vertical distribution of arsenic in soil,
  plants.
• Sampling statistics how well do we know what we
  know?

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Chemistry

• Develop in-the-field chemical tests for arsenic.
• How does arsenic get in groundwater?
• What is the mechanism by which pressure treated
  wood contaminates soil?

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Biology

• What is the impact of arsenic-containing
  materials to adjacent soil (arsenic will be
  banned in 2004 from the manufacture of
  pressure-treated wood).
• Quantify the impact of arsenic on local
  ecosystems (plants, microvertabrates).

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Other Details

• Student work / data will be placed on-line.
• Parent assessment.
• Project sensitivity should be respected.
• Parents encouraged to volunteer (as mentors,
  technical resources, chaperones on field trips,
  etc.).

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TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

• 3/9/04 Field Trip to Sweet Home
• 3/19/04 1st Batch of Samples to Reactor
• 3/314/1 4/74/8 Physics analyze samples at
  OSU Nuclear Reactor
• 4/19/04 All INAA results returned
• Week of May 24th presentation to Sweet Home
  officials.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

• Rank topic areas (group selection and initial
  background research to take place next week).
• Parents Please sign-up if you are able/willing
  to assist with transportation on Tuesday, 3/9/04
  to Sweet Home.