Is this water healthy? Can it support Life?

Chemistry students work with mentors from Sappi Fine Paper Company to solve hypothetical "real" world water quality issues. From the hypothetical scenarios, student teams are required to locate and isolate a given water contaminant. Students are then required to develop scientifically and economically feasible solutions to the problem and present findings and solutions to a team of evaluators made up of mentors, administrators, teachers, and peers.

As science teachers in a rural high school environment, we were looking to expand our students' world. One question we are often asked is "When am I ever going to use this in the real world?" We feel this Project answers that question. The nearby paper mill was looking for an opportunity to work in the community and has become a source of mentors and generous financial donations. Our students use the internet to communicate with the mentors at the mill, who in turn have been great at helping the students ask the right questions and direct them to look for information. The mentors come into the classroom during the testing phase of the project. This interaction has enriched each student's experience. The mentor pool has recently been expanded to include the local Conservation Commission. This web site is designed from the handbook that we created. We have enjoyed this Project for the last four years and have continually modified and changed it. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

Project Overview