Titration of a Newtown Creek Environmental Water Sample to Determine the Amount of Chloride Ions [Chemistry]

Authors

Kevin Mark, CUNY La Guardia Community CollegeFollow

Document Type

Assignment

Publication Date

10-2019

Abstract

Main Course Learning Objectives:

The General Chemistry 1 (SCC 201) course has multiple course learning objectives, which articulate key introductory chemistry concepts that all STEM students should possess. In particular, the Newtown Creek titration experiment aligns with SCC 201 learning objectives of:

1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the role of chemistry in various aspects of life
2. Perform basic laboratory skills such as the proper execution of titration techniques
3. Describe and explain the fundamental chemistry concept of solution concentration
4. Analyze and represent experimental data in tables and graphs, interpret experimental results and write laboratory reports

In the SCC 201 laboratory, students are asked to complete the experiment and then use the data to write a formal written lab report, which consists of an introduction, materials, methods, results, discussion and conclusion. The student work serves as an excellent artifact under the Written Communication Ability, which is designated for the SCC 201 course. In addition, the Global Learning Core Competency is incorporated in the Newtown Creek titration experiment, where students are asked to measure the chloride concentrations from the Superfund site. After calculating and determining the chloride amounts, students are prompted to discuss the impact of the findings on the Newtown Creek site and furthermore the surrounding environment on both a microscopic and macroscopic level. For example, students are asked to compare the chloride concentration values to the standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and to address the implications of the pollutant on existing plant life and people who reside near Newtown Creek. The responses from students show the success in meeting the dimensions of the Global Learning Core Competency. The SCC 201 course lies in the midpoint of the program curriculum map for both the Biology and Environmental Science programs and this laboratory assignment accounts for 3.5% of the final SCC 201 grade. LaGCC STEM major students will spend 3 hours completing the experiment in lab and as well spend an estimated 3-4 hours completing the lab write-up. The Titration of a Newtown Creek Environmental Water Sample to Determine the Amount of Chloride Ions experiment was developed as part of the Community College Undergraduate Research Initiative (CCURI). Additionally, this work was workshopped in an assignment development charrette during the 2018-2019 CTL Mini-Grant Global Learning Sub-seminar.

LaGuardia’s Core Competencies and Communication Abilities

Comments

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