This community college is purchasing equipment to conduct studies on water quality of a local lake as the major focus of an Environmental Biology course and as an integral part of the curriculum in other biology and chemistry courses at the institution. The goal of the project is to spark interest in science while teaching basic scientific knowledge and research skills. The lake was chosen as a research focus because of its declining condition, which is a concern for students and the community as a whole. Students are developing projects to be carried out with the requested equipment in: 1. water quality studies, 2. algae studies, 3. bacterial studies, 4. environmental growth studies. The equipment includes water testing kits and sampling equipment, a spectrophotometer, video microscope system, culturing equipment, and computing equipment with interface and sensors. The college will contribute an amount equal to the award.
