Westminster College, situated on a 300-acre campus in rural western Pennsylvania, offers many options for a living laboratory on topics related to sustainability.  Students have studied our living laboratory in introductory environmental science and analytical chemistry courses, in both traditional lab experiments and in project-based work.  Analytical students, for example, have compared results from a field alkalinity test kit with those from a lab-based standard method for the stream that runs through campus.  In environmental science, students have modeled energy generated by solar panels on campus as a function of various weather parameters available from our weather station.  Beyond course-based use, undergraduate research students have also utilized the campus as a living laboratory.  One Honors environmental science student has analyzed microplastic contamination in honey from our Field Station’s apiary, comparing honey from plastic and beeswax frames.  And currently, a chemistry major is studying excess nutrients to a man-made lake on campus.  By using the campus as a living laboratory, students benefit from analyzing real-world data from campus resources with which they are familiar.  It also provides a means for students to consider implications for sustainability beyond the campus.  The most important benefit, however, might be the relationship-building that occurs when getting students outside of the traditional classroom and lab space.

Campus as a living laboratory:  Sustainability in chemistry and environmental science coursework and undergraduate research

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.