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Air Toxics under the Big Sky: A Real-World Investigation To Engage High School Science Students

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Earle Adams and Garon Smith

Department of Chemistry, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812

Melissa Henthorn

Hellgate High School, Missoula, MT 59801

Tony J. Ward , Diana Vanek and Nancy Marra

Center for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812

David Jones

Big Sky High School, Missoula, MT 59804

Jim Striebel

Corvallis High School, Corvallis, MT 59828

J. Chem. Educ., 2008, 85 (2), p 221

DOI: 10.1021/ed085p221

Publication Date (Web): February 1, 2008

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

This paper describes a problem-based chemistry education model in which students perform scientific research on a local environmentally relevant problem. The project is a collaboration among The University of Montana and local high schools centered around Missoula, Montana. "Air Toxics under the Big Sky" involves high school students in collecting air samples inside and outside their homes within and near Missoula. As part of this program, teachers, students, and university researchers investigate the relationship between air pollutants and their harmful respiratory effects. Students experience scientific research, use scientific equipment, gain an insight into the relationship between the environment and public health, and develop scientific hypotheses. UM benefits by having a "pipeline" of high school students, several of whom participated in the program while in high school and now attend UM. The local community benefits from the work students and university researchers have done producing high-quality data that are being used in a tracking database for respiratory disease in western Montana. Student research efforts have culminated in three annual symposia that allowed students to present their results at a public forum.

Keywords (Audience):

General Public

Keywords (Domain):

Chemical Education Research

Keywords (Feature):

Secondary School Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Collaborative / Cooperative Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Atmospheric Chemistry

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This article has been cited by 3 ACS Journal articles (3 most recent appear below).

Evolution of the Air Toxics Under the Big Sky Program
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Journal of Chemical Education2011 88 (4), 397-401
- Evolution of the Air Toxics Under the Big Sky Program
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  Journal of Chemical Education2011 88 (4), 397-401
  As a yearlong exploration of air quality and its relation to respiratory health, the “Air Toxics Under the Big Sky” program offers opportunities for students to learn and apply science process skills through self-designed inquiry-based research projects ...
  Abstract | Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
A Research Study of Tropospheric Ozone and Meteorological Parameters To Introduce High School Students to Scientific Procedures
Yolanda Díaz-de-Mera, Alberto Notario, and Alfonso Aranda , José Antonio Adame , Alfonso Parra and Eugenio Romero , Jesús Parra and Fernando Muñoz
Journal of Chemical Education2011 88 (4), 392-396
- A Research Study of Tropospheric Ozone and Meteorological Parameters To Introduce High School Students to Scientific Procedures
  Yolanda Díaz-de-Mera, Alberto Notario, and Alfonso Aranda , José Antonio Adame , Alfonso Parra and Eugenio Romero , Jesús Parra and Fernando Muñoz
  Journal of Chemical Education2011 88 (4), 392-396
  An environmental research project was carried out by a consortium established among scientists and university lecturers in collaboration with two high schools. High school students participated in a long-term study of the local temporal profiles of ...
  Abstract | Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
Highlights from The Science Teacher: December 2009 to Summer 2010
Steve Long
Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (12), 1286-1289
- Highlights from The Science Teacher: December 2009 to Summer 2010
  Steve Long
  Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (12), 1286-1289
  This installment of reviews of chemistry-related articles published in The Science Teacher (TST) highlights material published from December 2009 through Summer 2010. TST is the high school publication of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). ...
  Abstract | Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links