By: Bill Grosser, Glenbard South H.S., Glen Ellyn, IL
Water Quality Index (WQI) Field Trip Kit for environmental science is an all-inclusive water quality test kit. Analyze the properties of a local lake, river, or stream and determine the overall water quality.
This all-inclusive water quality test kit has it all! Analyze the properties of a local lake, river or stream and determine the overall water quality using the Water Quality Index system. This is an environmental quality “score” that is derived based on a combination of nine different chemical and biological water tests-dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform, pH, biochemical oxygen demand, temperature, phosphate, nitrate, turbidity and total solids. After performing the nine tests and analyzing the results, students calculate a quality rating for the water ranging from 0 (very bad) to 100 (excellent) that is a weighted function of all nine tests. Contributing each test result to the final score demonstrates the environmental importance or impact of different biological and chemical properties of water. A great tool to compare the quality of different lakes or rivers or to monitor the change in water quality of a body of water over time.
Complete with comprehensive student booklets and all the materials and chemicals needed for a class of 30 students working in pairs.
Correlation to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Science & Engineering Practices
Planning and carrying out investigations Analyzing and interpreting data
Disciplinary Core Ideas
MS-LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems MS-LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience MS-ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems HS-LS2.B: Cycle of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems HS-LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience HS-ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems
Crosscutting Concepts
Stability and change
Performance Expectations
MS-LS1-5: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
1-800-452-1261
