In the All About Arsenic+ project, students collect drinking water samples to test for arsenic and other toxic metals, then learn to analyze and interpret the findings. The ultimate goal of the project is to engage communities through outreach and promote positive change at the local level. In addition, we hope the project will inspire generations of students to become critical thinkers and encourage them to explore careers in science, medicine, and public health.
Project Steps:
- Teachers integrate monitoring well water for arsenic and other toxic metals into new or existing curricula.
- Students collect well water from their taps and/or distribute project information and water collection kits to community members.
- Teachers ship samples to the Trace Element Analysis Core at Dartmouth and receive data in return.
- Parents/community members receive e-mails with their well water test results.
- Students learn to use Tuva Data Literacy software to interpret and display data for sharing with their communities.
- Teachers use our Science Communication Toolkit to prepare students for public outreach activities.
- Teachers and students share data with parents and community members through public meetings or other outreach efforts.
What’s my scientist-partner supposed to do?
Teachers collaborate with local scientists from Maine and New Hampshire IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) partner institutions to analyze well water results, interpret findings, and translate them into meaningful local action. As resources for one another, teachers and scientist-partners work together to conduct successful citizen science projects focused on arsenic and/or other toxic metals in drinking water. Some collaboration suggestions include:
- Invite your scientist partner into the classroom to share their career journey and explain their research in ways that are meaningful and accessible to students. This can help students see themselves in STEM careers and inspire them to explore STEM pathways.
- Work together to design a hands-on activity or experiment related to groundwater contamination and/or data.
- Analyze and explore the data using Tuva, helping students develop data literacy and draw evidence-based conclusions.
- Plan and carry out an outreach effort in which students share what they have learned and help inform the public about arsenic and other drinking water contaminants, as well as available mitigation resources. Outreach ideas might include hosting a meeting at the school for families and community members, writing letters to the editor, creating displays for municipal spaces, or contributing articles to school newsletters.
What’s with all the different websites?
We know there are many sites, but each has a different purpose. In addition to this website, which has information about the project, curriculum ideas, sample collection instructions, and resources for samplers, there are several other websites supporting the project.
- Anecdata.org is a citizen science platform used to collect, manage, and share data. Each sample that’s collected as part of the project is registered in the All About Arsenic project on Anecdata, anonymized, and added to a data set that can be used for analysis. Individuals can look up their well water test results on Anecdata by searching for their sample number.
- Tuva is a data literacy site that offers lessons, data literacy activities, and loads of datasets for teachers and students to explore. Additionally, Tuva has created an Arsenic Data Portal with datasets and resources to support the All About Arsenic project.
- LabCentral has a dedicated workspace called SEPA Data to Action that is the central hub for project logistics and includes the following:
- Discussion Forum – Want to share something with our community? Post here!
- Links to recordings of Office Hour (U&I) Meetings
- Shared Google folder – Used for workshops, shared products, tracking project numbers, and more.
- Water sample submission dates
- Mailing addresses for water samples and data sheets
- Information on Required Reporting