Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Developing An Inquiry-Based Laboratory Project For Chem 142l Course At Bsu, Manuel Pina

Honors Program Theses and Projects

In addition to content knowledge, critical and independent thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem-solving skills are essential in preparing next generation of successful workforce. Since one of the biggest advantages of STEM disciplines is a “must-have” hands-on laboratory experience, it is intuitive to exploit this learning space to reinforce afore-mentioned skills. In this context, project-based (PBL) or inquiry-based (IBL) laboratory experiences are rapidly becoming mainstream pedagogical choice for many STEM instructors across United States.^[1-4] PBL, and IBL are learning experiences that offer students an opportunity to experience realistic scientific process of discovery through carefully designed inquiry-driven and/or open-ended investigative laboratory …

The Responsibility Of Scientists In Public Policy, Samuel S. Otálvaro

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Synthesis And Connection Of Iridium Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst To Chlorella Vulgaris Photosystem I For Light-Driven Hydrogen Evolution, Anna Ramirez

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Hydrogen gas has been shown to be a promising energy source as options other than fossil fuels are being looked at in the face of anthropogenic climate change. It is known that anthropogenic climate change is caused by the production of greenhouse gases being let into the atmosphere, specifically a common reason for this is the burning of fossil fuels for energy. The overall goal of this project is to design a biochemical hybrid system that will be used to make H 2 gas and does not require the use of fossil fuels. Burning hydrogen as fuel produces only water …

Teaching Note - Bridging The Gap Between The Classroom And Business: A View From Geology, Michael Penzo

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Barays, Boeungs And Bassins: Reservoirs And The Capacity For Life And Change In Cambodia, Kevin D. Curry

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Renewable Energy Matters: Small Hydel Power And Sustainability In India, Madhu N. Rao

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Sustainability@Bsu - Fall 2015, Center For Sustainability, Bridgewater State University

Center for Sustainability Magazine

No abstract provided.

Runnins River And Burr’S Pond 2013

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Runnins River Biosurvey- 2013sy

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Water Analysis Of Abbott Run, North Attleboro, Ma

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Cambodia, Kingdom Of Water....Or Is It?, Jennifer Mendell

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

Extream Ecology: A Water Quality Assessment Of The Rumford River

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

The Agawam River - A Healthier River System - 10 Years Later

Watershed Access Lab Projects

No abstract provided.

A Strategic Analysis For Small Hydro Power (Shp) Development In Himachal Pradesh, India, Steven Spicer

Undergraduate Review

In addition to India currently being the second most populated country in the world, economists at Goldman Sachs have listed India as one of the five BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South America) projected to be most dominant economies by 2050. In spite of the rapid growth in India’s economy, there are still many serious issues affecting the majority of its people. The US Energy Information Administration reports that roughly 25% of India’s 1.2 billion people are living without access to electricity; which translates to 300 million citizens without power (EIA, 2013). Various estimates put India’s energy supply …

Environmental Considerations Of Small-Scale Hydroelectric Power Plants In Himachal Pradesh, India, Darwin Werthessen

Undergraduate Review

The need for increased energy production in India is high priority and hydroelectric power has been identified as having the greatest potential for achieving energy independence. The Indian government has continually created more streamlined methods for efficient implementation of hydroelectric facilities with an emphasis on small-scale (<25 MW) and micro (<5 MW) facilities in the more remote regions. Himachal Pradesh has effectively achieved one hundred percent electrification due to these initiatives and realized some of the most successful development in the nation with respect to rural electrification and improved infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals. Hydroelectricity, and especially that produced through run of the river type systems, is generally embraced as a renewable source of energy by many established standards. Small scale run of the river facilities are also heralded for the minimal impact to the environment. However, with increased development and construction in continually industrializing areas, measurable human impacts have increased felt within the environment and ecosystems. Several studies and papers published by the Indian government, as well as the state government of Himachal Pradesh, identify these impacts as low to nonexistent. In contrast, a growing number of studies refute this claim and deserve consideration. There is a diversity of opinion on this subject. Some secondary sources indicate minimal to non-existent environmental impacts stemming from projects less than 25 MW, considered as Small Hydro Power (SHP); while other sources express significant concern. Interviews with government officials and researchers in the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand as well as in the capital city of Delhi revealed a wide range of views. This paper presents observations and argues for greater exploration of these issues through future research.

Hydropower Development In Himachal Pradesh: A Stakeholder Equity Analysis, Eliott Rousseau

Undergraduate Review

Seen as the champion of green energy to some and environmentally disastrous to others, hydropower is a multifaceted issue. As it continues to be developed in India, some of the most remote locations and vulnerable people are being affected. This paper holistically examines the process of hydropower development in rural Himachal Pradesh. The locus of this study is tribal region of Bharmour Tehsil within Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh, India. Aspects pertaining to project commission, the consent process, and government sponsored rural development schemes are examined, with emphasis given to equity among rural stakeholders. The nature of this project was …

The 16th Annual Wal Project – Spring Seminar 2013, Kim Mccoy

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Brief overview of the RiverNet Watershed Access program - its history and the achievements of the many participating teachers and students from throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.

Burr’S Pond And The Runnins River Annual Watershed Survey

Watershed Access Lab Projects

For the past twelve years, AP Biology students at Seekonk High School have been required to complete an independent research project to fulfill the Ecology unit of the course during the summer prior to the course. Students must apply what they learned in their readings to a local ecosystem, Burr’s Pond, which is attached to the Runnins River in Seekonk. Students spend time at the pond area during the summer documenting organisms, evidence of population dynamics, animal behavior, trophic levels, nutrient cycling, etc. Students put together a Burr’s Pond Summer Field Research Project Portfolio to be submitted on the first …

The Runnins River Biosurvey Year 5 (2012-2013)

Watershed Access Lab Projects

On October 3rd & 4th Mr. Bonneau and Mr. Wills from Seekonk High School took their Biology II classes out to the Runnins River in Seekonk, MA for the 5th Annual Runnins River Biosurvey.

The Runnins River is approximately ten miles long and over 70% of the length of the river meanders through the town of Seekonk, making Seekonk the town with the greatest impact on the river. What we wanted to see is if the commercial and residential properties in the town had any impact on the river between two given points.

The classes went to both an upstream …

Agawam River Project - 10 Years Later

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The Agawam River Project is a river study project for 8th grade students at St. Margaret Regional School which is located in Buzzards Bay, in Southeastern Massachusetts. The mouth of the Agawam River where the river converges with the Wankinco River and the Wareham River in Wareham, is located approximately 5 km from the school. The headwaters of the river where the water overflows from Halfway Pond in Plymouth, is approximately 15 to 20 km away from the school. The river, ultimately as an estuary system, flows into the Buzzards Bay Watershed. Here, the fresh water of the three converging …

Exstream Ecology: A Survey Of The Rumford River

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The students of Mansfield High School performed a water quality study on the Rumford River on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The study location consisted of one site on the Town of Mansfield Conservation Commission property on Fischer Lane.

The purpose of this study was to introduce benthic macroinvertebrates and their role as indicators for evaluating stream water quality. Students utilized state of the art methods and techniques during all aspects of this study.

The Rumford River is listed on the Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) National Priority List (NPL). The river was polluted with dioxins, furans and phenols …

Delineation And Characterization Of The Furnace Brook Watershed In Marshfield, Massachusetts: Potential Impact Of Water Supply Extraction, Erik Croll

Undergraduate Review

The Furnace Brook watershed in Marshfield, Massachusetts supplies a coastal community of 25,132 residents with nearly 45% of its town water supply (Marshfield 2012a). As in many other coastal communities, development pressure in Marshfield has increased in recent years, creating a growing demand for freshwater extraction. It has been observed, however, that portions of the stream and Furnace Pond disappear entirely at certain times of year, generally between June and August, depending on the rate of groundwater extraction. This has created a conflict between protecting the designated wetland areas and meeting public pressure for water resources, even within what is …

The Effect Of Hydrochloric Acid Strength On The Nanometer-Scale Dissolution Topography Of Calcite Crystal Surfaces, Jennifer Fruzzetti

Undergraduate Review

The physico-chemical mechanisms by which rock-forming minerals dissolve in natural fluids are controlled by a number of environmental factors. In this study, we investigate dissolution mechanisms by observing how the nanometer-scale surface topography of calcite is affected by the acidity of etching solutions. Here we report atomic force microscope (AFM) observations of calcite crystal surfaces both before and after chemical etching for 10 seconds in 0.01%, 0.1%, and 1.0% HCl solutions. AFM observations show that unetched, freshly-cleaved calcite {10ī4} crystal surfaces are characterized by flat layers separated by steps oriented parallel to calcite cleavage planes. Calcite {10ī4} crystal surfaces etched …

A Greener Disney, Cidalia Pina

Undergraduate Review

Disney brings nature and environmental issues to the forefront with its non-confrontational approach to programming meant for children. This opportunity raises awareness and is relevant to growing environmental concerns. However this awareness is just a cursory start, there is an imbalance in their message and effort with that of their carbon footprint. The important eco-messages that Disney presents are buried in fantasy and unrealistic plots. As an entertainment giant with the world held magically captive, Disney can do more, both in filmmaking and as a corporation, to facilitate a greener planet.

Burr’S Pond And Runnins River Annual Watershed Survey 2012

Watershed Access Lab Projects

For the past eleven years, AP Biology students at Seekonk High School have been required to complete an independent research project to fulfill the Ecology unit of the course during the summer prior to the course. Students must apply what they learned in their readings to a local ecosystem, Burr’s Pond, which is attached to the Runnins River. Students spend time at the pond area during the summer documenting organisms, evidence of population dynamics, animal behavior, trophic levels, nutrient cycling, etc. Students put together a Burr’s Pond Summer Field Research Project Portfolio to be submitted on the first day of …

Trout Brook Study

Watershed Access Lab Projects

2011 marks the first year of Plouffe Academy’s study into the ecosystem outside its building. Plouffe Academy is part of the Brockton School district and located in the heart of the city. We began our investigation in October of 2011 with 4 dedicated 6th graders who collected macroinvertebrates from 2 sites in Trout Brook. Working after school, our young scientists also observed, measured and recorded physical data of the sites and surrounding riparian zone. The purpose of the study was to evaluate water quality and ascertain differences and similarities between the 2 sites. Site 1 was a rocky site closest …

Rumford River Water Quality Assessment Utilizing Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Watershed Access Lab Projects

The students of Qualters Middle School performed a study called “Rumford River Water Quality Assessment Utilizing Benthic Macro invertebrates”. The study was conducted on October 19, 2011 in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The study location consisted of one sampling site at the Fulton’s Pond Waterfall on West Street.

The purpose of this study was to introduce benthic macro invertebrates and their role as indicators for evaluating stream water quality. Students utilized state of the art methods and techniques during all aspects of this study.

The Rumford River is listed on the Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) National Priority List (NPL). The river was …

A Study Of Macroinvertebrates In Pine Tree Brook

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Sixth grade students at the Pierce Middle School in Milton, MA conducted a study of the macroinvertebrate community in Pine Tree Brook. Pine Tree Brook is located in the Neponset River Watershed and is a tributary of the Neponset River, which flows into Boston Harbor. Pine Tree Brook flows through the northwest part of Milton and was identified as an "impaired river" by the state of Massachusetts. The students at Pierce Middle School planned to use macroinvertebrates to assess the water quality of this brook. The students measured flow, calculated discharge, conducted a physical habitat survey, and sampled macroinvertebrates to …

The Runnins River Report - 2011

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Fall 2011 marks the fourth year that all 10th grade Biology II students and their teachers joined the watershed study project initiated by AP Biology students at Seekonk High School. The students traveled to two sites, one upstream and one downstream, along the Runnins River, whose watershed contains 70% of the land area of Seekonk. The upstream site was located a home off of Pamden Land and the downstream site was located just below Burr’s Pond, both in Seekonk. The five Biology II classes were split between the two site locations and it was the job of 140 students to …

Abbott Run Annual Study 2011-2012

Watershed Access Lab Projects

Abbott Run, a stream in the Blackstone River Watershed serves as drinking water to the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and must retain a Class A rating.

The stream runs through the western part of North Attleboro, the Camp Shady Pines (a Girl Scout camp) and also next to Chemawa golf course, which is 18 holes and privately owned. The golf course has the potential to be one of the major sources of fertilizer in the river, and as such is one of the major pollutants.

The class studied the stream on October 25, 2011. The water was tested for …