Project Based Learning through Environmental Quality Assessment for Undergraduate Chemistry Majors and Non-Science Students

尽管佐治亚南方大学的课程越来越强调环境化学，但非专业学生和化学专业学生并没有在这个重要领域获得有意义的、真实的分析经验。本项目力求纠正这种情况，办法是提供适合低年级学生和高年级学生使用的便携式现场仪器，以及分析区域有关环境污染物的现代技术。该项目适应了西卡罗莱纳大学（NSF 9750583）、罗阿诺克学院（NSF 9850796）和埃默里和亨利学院（NSF 9851010）开展的倡议。通过让学生接触到课程中的这些变化，我们：1 .让他们接触现代环境分析方法；2 .允许现场测试，尽管有其固有的挑战；通过对当地问题的考察，激发学生的兴趣，培养他们在分析对自己生活的影响时的批判性思维能力。学生将获得对环境测试技术的深刻理解，意识到环境管理的重要性，并在进行生态系统总体质量研究时增强数据分析和报告准备技能。这是通过密集的实地研究，加上先进的实验室经验，为高级学生完成。佐治亚南方大学教育了大量的少数民族和女性学生，环境科学的新核心要求确保了几乎所有主要学位课程的学生都能参加。化学系与地区水处理厂、野生动物康复中心、卫生填埋场运营商和农业推广机构建立了合作关系，从而为学生调查提供了各种适当的实地地点。新获得的设备反映了现代技术，从而为学生提供了最新的实践经验。

Chemistry (12)Despite increased emphasis on environmental chemistry across the curriculum at Georgia Southern University, non-major students and chemistry majors are not receiving meaningful, real world analysis experience in this vital area. This project seeks to remedy this situation by providing portable field instrumentation appropriate for use by lower level and senior students alike, as well as modern technology for the analysis of regionally relevant environmental pollutants. The project adapts initiatives undertaken at Western Carolina University (NSF 9750583), Roanoke College (NSF 9850796) and Emory and Henry College (NSF 9851010). By allowing students access to these changes in the curriculum, we:1. Expose them to modern methods of environmental analysis,2. Allow for on-site testing, with all its inherent challenges, and3. Stimulate student interest through examination of local issues/problems and development of critical thinking skills as they analyze the ramifications on their own lives.Students gain a solid understanding of environmental testing techniques, awareness of the importance of environmental stewardship, and enhanced data analysis and report preparation skills as they undertake studies on total ecosystem quality. This is accomplished through intensive field studies, coupled with advanced laboratory experiences for upper level students. Georgia Southern educates significant numbers of minority and female students, and a new core requirement in environmental science ensures inclusion of students of virtually all major degree programs. The Chemistry Department has established collaborations with area water treatment plants, wildlife rehabilitation centers, sanitary landfill operators, and agricultural extension agents, thus providing a variety of appropriate field locations for student investigations. The newly-acquired equipment reflects modern technology and thus provides students with current practical experience.