9451053 Juhl This project introduces students from two technician education programs to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) through an interdisciplinary environmental monitoring project. In a collaborative study of the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, Chemical Laboratory Technician and Hazardous Materials Technician students analyzes water samples for various organic and inorganic constit- uents using GC/MS, Ion Chromatography (IC), wet chemistry techniques, and field testing equipment. The project requires groups of students to create objectives, identify and implement procedures, follow protocols standard to industry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and report analyses to certain state and conservation agencies. The GC/MS is used to determine the presence of specific pesticides and volatile organic compounds in the river due to heavy agriculture in the river's drainage. Availability of a GC/MS allows authentic environmental monitoring following EPA guidelines, acquaints students with a critical analytical tool routinely used in industry, introduces computer operated instrumentation, and provides experience with data base searching and quantitative software. The collaborative nature of the project also provides students unique opportunities such as supervising and teaching colleagues in a closely related field and interacting with professional organizations.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
9451053
Program Officer
Herbert H. Richtol
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1994-09-01
Budget End
1996-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
$38,553
Indirect Cost
Name
Eastern Idaho Technical College
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Idaho Falls
State
ID
Country
United States
Zip Code
83404