Environmental Sampling and Analysis
Description:
I teach the course analytical chemistry. Here, the students are trained in operating analytical equipment for the analysis of pollutants in environmental samples (air, water, consumer products). In its current form, the students are provided with environmental samples to analyze for predetermined chemical compounds. Consequently, the course offers little insight into the many steps and considerations, and rationales preceeding the actual analytical analysis performed in the lab.
In this learning module I intent to give the students more complete learnings of the many processes that go into environmental analysis; from idea, protocol development, sampling, and analytical execution to presenting the final results.
The developed learning design will enable the students to both identity, develop and execute analytical studies of air pollution as well as deliver peer feedback to related reports and presentations
Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the sources, composition and health effects of air pollution
- Identify environments important for our exposure to air pollution
- Develop and execute analytical protocols for the sampling and chemical analysis of air pollution
- Reporting and review of analytical results
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Out-of-class prep |
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Research papers, books, articles etc. |
Read material on air pollution (sources, composition and heath effects etc.) ↓ |
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Teacher provides reading materials |
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Descriptions of relevant air pollution environments on Brightspace |
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Each group identify one environment from their everyday life where they encounter air pollution (the bus, the dorm room kitchen, the shopping mall etc.). Prepare and upload to brightspace a short description of the environment and the reasoning behind. ↓ |
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Teacher reads and approves the listed environments |
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Brightspace discussion forum |
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Each group is randomly assigned one of the other groups environments and tasked with examining the associated air pollution. Read the uploaded description and post relevant questions about the environment (e.g. how and when best to access it) ↓ |
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No support |
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Brightspace discussion forum |
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Answer all questions posted to your uploaded environment description ↓ |
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Teacher monitor discussions |
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In-class execution |
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Litterateur review on which air pollution likely to be encountered in the specific environment ↓ |
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Teacher may provide relevant reading materials or help student perform literature search |
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Analytical protocol on Brightspace |
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Prepare an analytical protocol intended for the sampling and analysis of the relevant air pollution. Upload this to Brightspace ↓ |
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Protocol is evaluated and approved by teacher before uploaded |
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Laboratory facilities, sampling equipment, analytical instrumentation and chemicals. |
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Perform sampling and analysis. Produce video and photo documentation of all steps. ↓ |
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Teacher is available for support |
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Out-of-class processing |
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Online presentation |
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Develop a online presentation using explain everything on the assigned environment, the chosen methodology for sampling and analysis, results, discussion and conclusion of the data. |
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Teacher is available for support |
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Brightspace discussion forum |
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Provide feedback, comments and questions to the uploaded presentation related to your originally posted environment ↓ |
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Teacher monitor discussions, peer to peer feedback |
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Final report |
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Prepare a final report and presentation ↓ |
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Teacher is available for support |
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In-class presentation |
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Final presentation |
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Present your work and answer questions from peers |
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Feedback from peers and teacher |