Drinking Water Quality: An Interdisciplinary Research Experience of Introductory Geology and Chemistry Classes
Robert Shuster, University of Nebraska at Omaha Summary At the University of Nebraska at Omaha, we have involved students in introductory Geology and Chemistry classes in an interdisciplinary study of drinking ...

How Many Plants Make a Future? The Carbon Dioxide Challenge
Rus Higley, Highline Community College Marine Science and Technology Center, Vanessa Hunt and Timothy Sorey, Central Washington University
This activity focuses on the role of photosynthesis in a sustainable future. Students explore the effect of photosynthesis and respiration in a 'closed systems' containing plankton, marine plants, and fish. By calculating carbon dioxide uptake and production in these systems, they predict a plant: animal ratio sufficient to maintain a system in carbon dioxide 'balance' for one hour.

Ocean Acidification in a General Chemistry Laboratory Experiment: Scientific Data and Indigenous Knowledge
Jessica Pikul, Seattle Community College-North Campus
Students explore the effects of ocean acidification by measuring the mass loss in seashells and the calcium ion concentration in seawater. Alongside data collection during a series of laboratory sessions, students learn about the disproportionate effects of ocean acidification on indigenous livelihoods, food security, and cultural practices, as well as how indigenous knowledge and practices can be used to address acidification locally. The activity ends with students composing an email to an elected official in which they express their opinion about the issue using claim–evidence–reasoning formatting.

Density Differences
Mary Holmberg Eden Valley-Watkins Elementary School Eden Valley, MN Based upon an original activity from Houghton Mifflin, DiscoveryWorks, p. E52
In this lab activity, students determine density differences of water samples with varying temperature and salinity levels. Students synthesize information to predict the effects of oil in given water samples.