Observe and Measure Water

OBSERVE AND MEASURE... WATER

How and why are water samples analysed? At Mirabilandia students follow a methodological course that underlines the importance of observing reality and applying precise methods, linked to concrete and current aspects of reality (water pollution, scientific research activities).

Project objectives:

to experiment with the practical applications of concepts of ecology, carrying out sampling and measurements of real samples, including all difficulties related to these activities
to realise the importance of following precise methods to obtain scientifically valid results
to elaborate on topics of water chemistry, experimenting with sampling and analytical techniques that are completely comparable to those used in the real practice of water analysis laboratories

INFORMATION

AGE

DURATION

ADDITIONAL CHARGE

TEACHING MATERIAL

INFORMATION

Lower secondary (11-13 years) and upper secondary (14-18 years)

1 hour 50 mins

€5 per person (in addition to the School Group entrance fee per person)

Activity support cards, tools for making measurements

You can choose from two courses:

COURSE A
COURSE B

COURSE A: TEMPERATURE, PH, DISSOLVED OXYGEN IN WATER: ANALYSIS OF THREE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

<6>FOR THE FIRST TWO CLASSES OF SECONDARY SCHOOL

Activities:

brief introduction to some concepts of ecology (ecosystems, biotic and abiotic factors) to sampling techniques and experimental measurements, with particular focus on the importance of reproducibility of the experimental method;
sampling of surface waters inside the Park;
taking measurements (in groups) of some abiotic factors important for living beings (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH), underling the importance of using a precise methodology to take measurements that enables us to obtain “reliable” results;
verification of the hypotheses formulated, based on qualitative observations with quantitative data and discussion of the results obtained.

COURSE A WORKSHEETS

COURSE B: THE PH OF WATER. ACIDS, BASES, COLOURS...AND SOME SURPRISES!

FOR UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL

Activities:

introduction to the basic concepts of ecology and the correct procedures to perform a water sampling, with particular focus on the importance of reproducibility of the experimental method used for sampling surface waters within the Park;
classical definition and meaning of pH;
measuring pH in water samples using three different techniques, and comparison between qualitative, semiquantitative and quantitative techniques;
short discussion on the meaning of the terms precision and accuracy and the meaning of instrumental calibration, an in-depth analysis of the “rigorous” definition o pH and introduction to the concept of activity, using a simple experiment.

COURSE B WORKSHEETS

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