High School Spectroscopy Conjures State-Wide Water Monitoring Concept
Using individual laptops, Maine chemistry students effectively share the analytical resources of a new mini-spectrometer. Applied state-wide, students could provide patterns of water quality in the course of learning.
Maine has elected to equip all middle school students with laptops—a program conceived about 4 years back when the economy was booming and surpluses prevailed. At present some of the program funding is less certain but a number of laptop learning programs are underway at various grade levels. At present, proponents are attempting to defend the program against funding cuts.
Initial plans were to equip each 7th grader with a laptop and in 5 years all middle and high school students would have their own laptop. A pilot program was begun in the '01-'02 school year; nine major districts throughout the state selected a school and provided laptops to the 7th grade class. Results have been quite positive and have paralleled reports from similar computer learning programs. In general, administrators and teachers as well as the students quickly adapt and advantageously apply computing capabilities.
Laptops in High School Chemistry
Anticipating widespread availability of personal laptops, the University of Maine's Chemistry Department has developed InterChemNet--a chemistry lab management system currently being evaluated at several Maine high schools. According to Dr Mitchell Bruce (one of the InterChemNet developers), a major advantage of the computer chemistry learning program is that rather sophisticated analytical instrumentation can be effectively used at the high school level.
In particular, a high school spectroscopy module allows students to make measurements of substances they encounter daily. The spectroscopy program has students analyzing caffeine levels in soft drinks; identifying food dyes in Gatorade; determining the uv absorbance of various sunscreen lotions; and examining certain water quality issues.
The InterChemNet software interfaces several types of spectrometers with a university server so that the spectral trace is stored via the Internet. Once coded and stored, the student can access his sample data using his laptop. A compact Ocean Optics UV-visible spectrometer features small, inexpensive plastic sample holders so that each student can have a half-dozen or so. The spectrometer scans only require a few seconds so that the student does not require much time at the spectrometer; or conversely, program developers estimate that a single spectrometer can serve a hundred or more students.
Students As Field Technicians?
Reportedly, a number of high school students in the pilot program showed considerable interest in assessing the quality of local waters. This kicked off some discussions—beyond the lecture hall--as to the possible advantages of some regular monitoring of water quality through some high school program. The big plus is the wide access to streams, lakes, wells, estuaries and coastlines since schools are located in about every corner of every state.
As pointed out by Dr Bruce, some sort of certification plus regular competence checks would be necessary. What about year-around monitoring? Such services would perhaps merit additional state or federal funds. The consensus was that any such program was unlikely to occur. But, the potential data streams and the "what ifs" were interesting.
Additional information on the InterChemNet spectroscopy program can be obtained by contacting Dr Mitchell Bruce at 207-581-1190. For spectrometer information, contact Ocean Optics Inc at 727-733-2447.
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