Field Studies – Quality in the Wascana Watershed

Overview

With 29 watersheds in Saskatchewan, it is easy to take water for granted. Students at Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic High School in Regina are conducting authentic water quality assessments in the local Wascana watershed, and are gaining first hand experience in the value of protecting our water resources.

Desmond Hartney is a science teacher at Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic High School, and is using PASCO probeware with his students in the Environmental Science 20 course. Back in 2015 after speaking with a colleague about PASCO, Desmond decided to bolster his environmental science course with a datalogging solution that was compatible with a mixed device setting of iPads and smart phones.

Investigation

Today, Desmond’s grade 11 students create their own investigations in which they test the water quality in the Wascana Creek and Wascana Lake at a number of different sites within the area. In doing so, Desmond has empowered students to gather relevant and reliable data. “Using PASCO’s Advanced Water Quality sensors, students measure the chemical indicators of the local water, such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and total dissolved solids. Students also collect water samples to take back to the lab, and use the water quality colorimeter to test ammonia, phosphate and nitrate levels within the water using the PASCO ampoules”.

Outcome

According to Desmond, gathering data with PASCO probes has enabled students to obtain firsthand water quality information that can be compared to provincial standards. “With the Bluetooth technology, students have the ability to download all the data directly to their phones, which simplifies the data collection process. Students then compare their findings to the Saskatchewan surface water quality objectives and assess the health of the watershed.” “The PASCO sensors provide students the opportunity to use state-of-the-art technology that biologists would be using in the field, while also allowing students to investigate issues that they are passionate about” says Desmond. In providing his students with access to these tools, Desmond is empowering them to develop technical, science-specific, employment critical skill sets. Providing access to tools used by real scientists!

Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic High School 2330 25 Ave, Regina, SK

PASCO Products

• Advanced Water Quality Sensor PS-2230
• Colorimeter PS-2121
• Carbon Dioxide Sensor PS-2110
• Oxygen Sensor PS-2126A
• Light Sensor PS-2106A
• AirLink Interface PS-3200