Firts Session - Introduction of Planet Guardians - January 27, 2011
Super Excitement! That was the atmosphere that cover the computer lab and you could feel it just watching the facial expressions of students. We started our first meeting with the provision of a pre - test on the conceptualization to be used in the first part of the project: Data Collection with Vernier LabQuest. Students participated in this pre - test used Qwizdom ActionPoint technology . Once the pre-test was completed, students were given the folders with the initial project documents, identification, student contract, club pin and aplication sheet of Thinkquest.org. Then students would had to perform the first task: to break into groups and assign roles per student . After completing this task students began to learn on the use and management of LabQuest Vernier interface using an instructional module created in Adobe Captivate. The remaining time is devoted to students exploring the interface of the device using the Vernier LabQuest emulator.
Field Trip to Sabana Llana stream #1- February 3, 2011
On Thursday February 3, 2011 the Environmental Science Club of Del Carmen School undertook the difficult task of being the investigators of the Sabana Llana stream water qualilty project, Planet Guardians. These high school students said present to this new adventure.
Twenty studentsof the Enviromental Science Club came to environmental science activities with their teachers. We also had the presence of Mrs Basora , the coordinator of the Enviromental Science club.
The class agenda was quite charged. We started at 3:45pm at the school computer lab, our meeting point . In this place Mrs. Basora took a record of attendees, an informal presentation of the participants and began with an orientation walk to the Sabana Llana stream.
For next class we must do the same procedure but using the ion sensors of calcium, nitrate, ammonia and chlorine.
Meeting #7 The Planet Guardians, students of Del Carmen College, began working on their products. Due to the time we took the decision to divide the products by team. So each group will have a different mission but with the same interest: Post all information related to research water quality of the creek Sabana Llana, either in Blog, scientific articles, online map, video documentary and a presentation Power Point. The awakening of the Planet Guardians now be working hard in order to fulfill its mission.
Meeting #8 Planet Guardians - Let's work!
Planet Guardians students continue to create products of the research project water quality of the creek Sabana Llana. The sub groups are are divided into two groups: data analytics experts and technologies. The analytes are completing the analysis of results obtained with Vernier technology in the data sheet and are also participating in the forums created in the Thinkquest.org platform . Technology experts are adding content and applying all the skills learned in the preparation phase. During the next 2 weeks we will have the first project's final products. Good luck to the members of Planet Guardians and continue working.
Water quality collected points in the Rio Piedras can be considered generally acceptable for use on the water, national and domestic. Water quality in items collected from the Rio Piedras has decreased slightly over the years by urban expansion in this area. Activities such as: population growth, industrial and agricultural, in the near future, could create a negative impact on the water resource.Moreover according to data obtained during this investigation we conclude that the quality of water from this point of Rio Piedras is good. The levels of pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity are normal and optimal for the survival of aquatic organisms and for domestic use people.
This project is still at the stage of research and analysis of results. For this will create a dynamic model using ArcGIS technology, published a scientific paper to report results and in addition will prepare a "blog" for the publication of the results on the Internet.
The temperature of a body of water affects its overall quality. The water temperature out of range "normal" of a stream or river can cause damage to aquatic organisms that live there as larvae "Stonefly" or mosquitoes. Our results can be compared with the temperatures of the rivers in the U.S. during the summer.
The DO of a body of water is the amount of oxygen that does water. The measurements obtained at this point in Rio Piedras have the minimum amount of DO for optimal living conditions for organisms. The DO is 4.7mg / L which is the average in this area.
The pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution. The pH indicates the concentration of hydronium ion present in certain substances, in this case water. According to our research the Rio Piedras has an average pH of 7.68. This pH is optimal for the survival of all marine organisms. Water quality at this point in Rio Piedras is generally acceptable for domestic use and water.
Turbidity is a measure of the lack of water clarity. The high turbidity water is cloudy, while water with low turbidity is clear. The cloudiness is caused by light reflected by particles in the water, therefore particles in the water, the greater the turbidity. Our results show that this river has water that is safe to drink. This water is visibly cloudy due to turbidity levels are above 5 NTU.
Current flow, or flow, is the volume of water that moves over a designated point for a fixed period of time. It is often expressed in cubic meters per second (cfs). At this point in Rio Piedras flow velocity is not of great intensity. At the time of the sample, the river was calm, I had great flow and flow velocity was mild.
The conductivity of a substance is defined as the ability or power to conduct or transmit heat, electricity. Pure water is a good conductor of electricity. According to the results, the sample has high levels of conductivity media. The normal level of conductivity in a river or lake is 5.5 mS / cm, on the other hand our readings were of 381 mS / cm.
Important: See the dynamic model of the Rio Piedras Water Quality Investigation by PR Water Cops CL clicking in this link:
http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.htmlid=44e840ff148c4afb9972d26bc4c86b39
http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.htmlid=44e840ff148c4afb9972d26bc4c86b39
NOTE: Download ArcGIS Explorer Free Version to your computer .
In this phase of the project Planet Guardians students continue to develop the product which was assigned to its subgroup and also keep using all the knowledge learned in the preparation phase using Thinkquest.org.
During this week's work on the products continued, although attendance in the classroom was not the best and we miss a day of Internet. But nothing will prevent the Planet Guardians do their job:
During this week's work on the products continued, although attendance in the classroom was not the best and we miss a day of Internet. But nothing will prevent the Planet Guardians do their job:
Let's take an eye in our products:
1) Scientific Article - MS Publisher 2007
Planet Guardian member, Susan, working in the scientific article in MS Publisher 2007. Susan is member of the The Green Hornets subgroup. This subgroup has the duty of create the scientific article of the data results and analisys of the Sabana Llana investigation.
2) Data Results and Analisys Presentation - Logger Pro and MS Power Point 2007
The subgroup The Guardians Dreamers working in the Data Results and Analisys Presentation.
3) ArcGIS Explorer - Dynamis Model map
The Green Brain subgroup has the commission to work on the dynamic model of water quality research in the Sabana Llana stream in ArcGIS Explorer.
The map will include the data we collect using Vernier LabQuest. We will also have the analysis of the results obtained in the investigation of water quality in the Quebrada Sabana Llana and in addition we have pictures of the tables and graphs showing the results of this research.
4) Documentary Video - Adobe Premier
The video documentary are the products that more work is needed because there are to do various tasks within the development. Subgroup Discovery Kids has the job of creating a video documentary to show the entire research process, its purpose, application and solution to the problem of water pollution issue.
They are using Adobe Premier for the editing of the video clips taken in the field trips and in the classroom. Students will use media as images, video clips, music, narration and text to make this video documentary. All these resources have been taking as the project continues in its development.
5) Planet Guardians Blog - Blogger.com
The subgroup Natural Beauties Blog will touch the project work. The student Liana and her team is working hard on developing the Blog. Are creating entries for each meeting of the blog and these are accompanied by some pictures and video clips for the enjoyment of visitors, we hope you like it.
6) Participation in Thinkquest.org assessments tools
And this story will continue....
