Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) Chemical Technician program students collect river water samples from five predetermined sites within Milwaukee County’s watershed. Students conduct field analysis at these sites to collect data for phosphates, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, nitrites, flow rate, temperature, and depth. The samples are then taken to MATC for analysis of heavy metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES), pesticides by Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) with Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), UV-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-VIS) for the various forms of phosphorus, and Ion Chromatography (IC) for relevant anions in surface water environments. All field and laboratory analysis is performed by MATC’s Chemical Technician program students. This project was designed to teach two-year students the methodology of a research project by integrating hands-on work with performance-based instruction (PBI). Students learn to work and interact like a research group, applying proper techniques of surface water sampling, field analysis, data collection, data documentation, and stabilization of samples for transportation and storage. They analyze the results and prepare their findings for a conference presentation in poster format.

Teaching chemistry at a technical college through practical field work using performance based instruction: The Milwaukee River Project

249th National Meeting (2015)

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