Work in progress - Creating high school student environmental engineers

The national science foundation research experience for teachers is an intensive six week program that allows teachers to work along side environmental engineers and find ways to bring this experience to high school students. There are several results and benefits to this program. Teachers develop a well conceived activity that is rich in authentic engineering examples and based on sound educational practice. The case study presented is a typical lab in most high school chemistry classrooms that has been changed to have the students play the role of environmental engineers. Students have two days to separate a black mixture supposedly found flowing down the Ohio River, recrystallize one of the mysterious white substances and identify it based on physical properties and research. They must advise the water treatment plant if they should allow the material to pass or pump it in and purify the "goop". An added benefit to the summer program is the educational professional development. Table of specifications, bloom's taxonomy and assessment methods are just a few of the tools that help enhance the lesson and remain with teachers and students throughout the year.