Ann Ostroski
John Fuller School
Grade 3
Work phone: 356-5381
e-mail: a_ostrsk@unixserv.kennett.kl2.nh.us

Location of Externship: Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility
Lesson Title: Local Wastewater Treatment

Lesson Description: This lesson will attempt to give students a general understanding and regard for how our local wastewater is treated and put back into the environment. They should be able to understand that the process is totally biological They should also realize that the treated water is clear and free of pollutants. This will be a part of the Water Cycle study.

Subject area: Science, Language Arts, Math

Standards Addressed

Science: la. Students will pose questions for scientific investigations and make predictions about the outcomes. Students will use appropriate measurement units.

Students will read bar graphs, line graphs, and tables.

3b. Students will demonstrate an increasing ablility to understand how environmental factors affect all living systems.

3c Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand that organisms are linked to one another and to their physical setting by the transfer and transformation of matter and energy to maintain a dynamic equilibrium.

4c. Students will demonstrate an increasing ability to understand that the earth contains a variety of renewable and non-renewable resources.

5a. Students will demonstrate an increasing ablility to distinguish among materials by utilizing observable properties.

Math: 4c. Students will develop an understanding of measurement and systems of measurement through experiences which enable them to use a variety of techniques, tools, and units of measurement to describe and analyze quantifiable phenomena

Language Arts: 2. Students will demonstrate the interest and ability to write effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences.

3. Students will demonstrate the interest and ability to speak purposefully and articulately, as well as listen and view attentively and critically.

5 Students will demonstrate competence in using the interactive language processes of reading, writing, speaking listening, and viewing, to gather and organize information in a variety of subject areas.

Resources Needed: Refer to the Water Cycle unit, and the FOSS science program.

Preparation for Teacher: Read through background on water cycle and Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility process Gather materials from classroom and FOSS kit

Time: about 20 minutes prep

Student Directions: Students can work in groups or whole class.

Student Assessment: Use discussion and written responses as a means for assessment.

Ann Ostroski John Fuller School Grade 3 356-5381 philanno@ncia.net (home)

LESSON PLAN for Local Wastewater Treatment (to be included with the Water Cycle study)

Goals; Students should be able to have a general understanding of how our local wastewater is treated and put back into the environment. They should understand that it is totally a biological process They should realize that the treated water is clear and free of pollutants.

Review the Water (hydrologic) Cycle for the students:

1). Water Storage ~ Water that is stored on the earth's surface, such as oceans, lakes, and streams.

2). Evaporation ~ A process in which water is heated and becomes a gas.

3). Cloud Storage ~ Water suspended in the air.

4). Transpiration ~ The process in which water moves through the air.

5). Precipitation ~ Water that returns to the earth as rain. snow, or hail.

6). Percolation ~ The process in which water moves downward through openings in the soil.

7). *Groundwater ~ Water that is underground, as in a spring or a well.

Discuss with the students what the sources of sewage may be: (they may suggest from toilets, showers, sinks. dishwashers) Also suggest storm flows, and industrial waste. Discuss what kinds of places are connected to the sewage system

When the sewage flows to the treatment facility, it goes through a 5 step process before it re-enters the groundwater. Here is a very basic description of the process:

step 1 - the flow enters the preliminary treatment house...all solids are removed using large pumps and filters. The solids may include plastics, sand. grit. and other debris.

step 2 ~ The flow is then pumped to huge troughs where the water is aerated, or where oxygen is added. All living things need oxygen to live, and this added oxygen allows certain bacteria to feed and stay alive. The water moves fast, then slows down. During this time, the water "separates" from what looks like clumps of seaweed or algae. These are the biological solids.

step 3 ~ The water then moves to the "clarifiers". These are huge round tanks, with giant "squeegies" moving very slowly on the bottom of the tank. At this point, the water is not moving. Only the squeegie, which scrapes the sludge that has settled away to another processing area.

step 4 - The water from the clarifiers is then pumped through ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, which kills any remaining harmful bacteria.

step 5 - The water is clear at this stage, and is ready for the last process. It is pumped into a sand pit, and flows through 20 to 30 feet of sand and gravel before reaching the groundwater. The sludge that is taken away from the clarifiers (step 3) is processed with lime and ferric chloride, water is pumped out of it, and it ends up in a "cake" form This cake is dropped into bins. that are taken to the land fill.

Activities: (I haven't tested these out yet)

* Fill two tanks or large glass jars with water. Use a pump that is used for fish tanks, and run it in one of the tanks for a few days Leave the other tank alone. Observe what happens to the water when one has the benefit of oxygen, and the other does not.

*Fill a jar with water. Add sand, gravel, pieces of paper, string....another words, pollute the jar. Over a sink or a bigger jar. pour the polluted water through a collander and observe the water clarity. Pour it again through a strainer, and observe. Pour it through cheesecloth and observe.

* The Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility is run by Peter LaBonte. A tour of the plant is very possible. but previous study and preparation is highly encouraged.