Lesson Plans - A Decade of Data

George Radcliffe, award-winning science teacher at Centerville Middle School, Maryland.

OBJECTIVES from his 8th grade curriculum in association with a community-based volunteer water monitoring association:

• To provide continuous long-term monitoring of water quality of the Chester River.
• To provide data of recognized scientific validity acceptable to government agencies from the Chester River.
• To provide a source of accurate, reliable data that can be used as a part of planning, conservation, and development in the Chester River watershed.
• To provide educational opportunities for students and citizens of the area: Students present written and oral reports using graphical data, analysis, conclusions and problem resolution to community policy makers.
• To provide an understanding of the relationship between land use practices and water quality.

Website: www.qacps.k12.md.us/cms/sci/MONCHEST.HTM

LaMotte Resources Used in Project:

Test kits:

Dissolved Oxygen: Order code 5860- 0-10 ppm/0.2 intervals, Titration Method

Nitrate-Nitrogen: Order code 3615- 0-1ppm, Cadmium Reduction, Octet Comparator

pH: Order code 5858-Wide range 3-10.5, Comparators

Salinity: Order code 7459-01- 0-40 ppt/0.4 intervals, Titration Method

Turbidity: Order code 7519- 5-200 JTU, Drop Count Method

Monitoring Macroinvertebrates:

Leaf Pack Stream Ecology Kit: Order code 5882- All materials needed for collecting, sorting, and identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates, comprehensive instructor's manual

Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Identification Flashcards: Order code 5882-SA1- Moisture resistant 18 full color laminated photos, line drawings, and identification tips

Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Insect Life Cycle & Habitat Flashcards: Order code 5946- Moisture resistant 22 full color laminated photos of immature to adult accompanied by 6 activities

Kick-Net With Poles: Order code 3-0021-P Macroinvertebrate Collection

Sampling Equipment:

Armored Thermometer: Order code 1066- Non-mercury, encased in protective plastic jacket, -5 to 45C in 0.5 increments

Dissolved Oxygen Sampler: Order code 1054-DO- Accommodates a DO sample bottle for increased accuracy at various water depths; Designed by Univ. of Rhode Island scientists

Secchi Disk: Order code 0171-CL-Turbidity and visibility measurement in natural waters with weighted 20 cm diameter disk and line marked every half meter up to 20 meters

Electronic Meters:

SMART2 Colorimeter: Order code 1919-perfect for field or classroom handheld colorimeter with 4 sample tubes, AC adapter, and instruction manual with 70 test factors available

pH 1 PockeTester: Order Code 5-0008- Range -1 to 15/0.1increments, 0.2 pH accuracy

Conductivity PockeTester: Order code 5-0082- 0-1990uS, Resolution 10uS