Public Works and Environmental Services Alert:
The Terrarium is a model of the water cycle. Teachers will receive all the materials needed to construct this simple terrarium. The water cycle will occur in the terrarium with the addition of the materials provided and water. This activity can be used in grades K-6.
Standards are:
The Drinking, Wastewater and Stormwater EnviroScape is a large, hands-on model of how water flows. This illustrates how pollution can occur, how we can prevent it, and take care of our waterways. This is an activity meant for grades 2-4.
Standards are:
Micros are Everywhere is an activity that introduces students to the microscope and the importance of microorganisms. Microscopes CAN be provided; however, they are limited in number and students will need to share. We provide prepared slides and worksheets. This is appropriate for grades 3-6. Younger grades will need more supervision with the equipment. Standards are:
Science Standards aligned:
Math Standards aligned:
What is pH and why do I care? Is an activity that introduces students to pH and the importance that it plays in our waterways. Teachers will be provided containers of liquids found around the home (milk, soda, vinegar, lemon juice, etc.) and pH strips. Our worksheet takes the kids through pH testing and the importance of keeping the pH at a safe level for fish in the Chesapeake. This activity is best for grades 5-6.
Standards are:
Turbidity is a measure of the clarity of water. This simple and fun technique to test turbidity uses a secchi disk. The teachers will be given a small tabletop version (what is shown is for outdoor use only…can be used in a field day setting if you prefer). For indoor use, teachers will have a small secchi disk and beakers. Teachers will have liquids or solutions with different clarities to test. This is best for grades 5-6.
Standards are:
The lab could be applied to standards in middle school science or earth science, biology, chemistry, environmental science. The program designed for advanced placement environmental science provides a more in depth look at water quality and environmental stewardship with the potential of a project-based format.
The lab teaches students to become better stewards of our environment, protect public health and protect our infrastructure from harmful toxins.
The lab provides the opportunity to discuss the “Do Not Flush” materials that can cause sewer backups and blockages in the more than 3,400 miles of sanitary sewer lines located in Fairfax County. At the end of the lab, students will have gained an appreciation for how wastewater treatment plants work to protect, restore, and enhance human health and the environment.
All materials and supplies needed for the lab, including student and teacher workbooks, are supplied by Fairfax County Wastewater Management. We offer virtual assistance from a scientist and classroom assistance if needed. Individual teacher training is provided along with a step-by-step manual and training video. A Teacher Workshop and Field Trip of the Noman M. Cole Jr. Pollution Control Plant are available.
The Sewer Science Program has grown since originally developed by the City of Palo Alto, California in the 1990’s. Since Fairfax County adopted the program in 2006, with the assistance of FCPS teachers, new customized versions of the lab have been created for grades 6-12, the Science of Wastewater.
Maureen Goble, Lake Braddock High School Science Dept. Chair, describes Sewer Science Lab (at 9:10 in video)
The lab activities can be customized to your schedule or are completed over two 90-minute class periods or up to four 50-minute classes. The students learn how the municipal wastewater treatment process works. We do this by having the class create wastewater out of household ingredients that simulate waste found in real wastewater. Then, we work through the physical, biological, and chemical processes used at a treatment plant to clean that water.
This hands-on lab has been created with four different levels of difficulty, and as such, testing and analysis correlate with student understanding. Select the lab that meets your needs.
VA SOL standards include but are not limited to: ES. 6acd, ES. 8cd, ES. 10 ae, ES 12e, BIO. 2ac, BIO. 4d, BIO. 8abd
This program has been created with scaffolding that ELL (English Language Learner) classes find helpful. It teaches the basics of Wastewater Treatment. Testing for pH, Ammonia and Turbidity at each stage of treatment processes. Students learn to use microscopes and identify microorganisms. Students will discuss why microorganisms are important to help clean the water. Students will explore environmental career options and how to become better stewards of our environment.
VA SOL standards include but are not limited to: ES. 6acd, ES. 8cd, ES. 10 ae, ES 12e, BIO. 2ac, BIO. 4d, BIO. 8abd
This is our most popular with our general education classes testing for pH, ammonia, turbidity and chemical oxygen demand, COD at each stage of treatment processes. Students refine their knowledge of microscopes by identifying a wide range of microorganisms under various magnifications and discuss why they are important to help clean the water. Students will explore environmental careers opportunities and learn how to become better stewards of our environment and public health.
VA SOL standards include but are not limited to: ES. 6acd, ES. 8cd, ES. 10 ae, ES 12e, BIO. 2ac, BIO. 4d, BIO. 8abd
This program is appropriate for Environmental Science, Advanced Placement, AP and International Baccalaureate, BP classes. It is a more in-depth lab that focuses on creating an environment that sustains water quality through its lab activities more of in depth understanding of the importance of the testing parameters for pH, ammonia, turbidity and chemical oxygen demand, COD at each stage of treatment processes. The effects of excess nutrients lead to eutrophication, Nitrification/Denitrification in local bodies of water and the Chesapeake Bay.
This program teaches middle school students the basics of Wastewater Treatment and management. Students will learn how to perform tests for pH, ammonia, and turbidity at each stage of the treatment processes. There is an introduction to microscopes with a focus on identifying microorganisms and why they are important to help clean the water. Students learn how to become better stewards of our environment.
VA SOL standards include but are not limited to: 6.5 fg, 6.6 abef, 6.8abcd, 6.9 abcdef, LS 7ab, LS 8c LS 9bc, PS 3ad