The Project

Students from the instrumental analysis class at Trinity College are partnering with about 100 6^th grade students from Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy to collect and analyze water samples from the Connecticut River watershed. In celebration of the 75-year history of the Division of Analytical Chemistry, this activity includes both classical wet analytical chemistry techniques (performed by the 6^th graders) and advanced instrumental analysis (performed by the undergraduates).

This fall, the 6^th grade students collected water samples from various locations in the Connecticut River watershed. In the spring semester, as a capstone project at the end of the 6^th grade unit on water quality, the 6^th grade students are performing water quality testing on their samples using a kit to measure levels of chlorine, iron, sulfate, nitrate/nitrite, as well as pH. The instrumental analysis students are guiding the 6^th grade students through these tests and assisting them in selecting a subset of samples for trace metals determination by ICP-OES. The instrumental analysis students will then analyze selected samples for trace metals by ICP-OES. In lieu of a lab report, the instrumental analysis students will present their results, along with a grade-level appropriate explanation of ICP-OES, to the 6^th grade students.

This project offers senior analytical chemistry students the opportunity to introduce the field of analytical chemistry and its environmental applications to a diverse group of local 6^th graders, engaging undergraduates in experiential learning and community outreach.  In turn, the project’s activities complement the 6^th grade science content standards on water quality, offer middle-school students an opportunity to learn and become comfortable in a college laboratory setting, and experience, firsthand, the impact of analytical chemistry.