In this best practice lesson, students are divided into groups of two or three. The groups are given four unidentified bottled waters in unmarked containers and the chemical characteristics taken from the labels on the bottled waters.

In this best practice lesson, students are divided into groups of two or three. The groups are given four unidentified bottled waters in unmarked containers and the chemical characteristics taken from the labels on the bottled waters. The students must devise and carry out a plan to match the water in the unmarked containers with the appropriate labels. This lab is appropriate after a discussion on water quality so that students have a basic knowledge of hardness, alkalinity, pH, metals, and nutrients found in unprocessed water. A typed proposal outlining the methods, chemicals, equipment, and instruments needed for analysis, with references, must be approved by the instructor before students analyze the samples. Students are coached on the appropriate methods without dictating exact procedures. (author/ts)

This lab lesson can be useful with Agricultural and Environmental Systems students studying water analysis. Students must have some hands-on experience in determining alkalinity, pH, and water hardness to do this open-ended investigation.

This lab lesson can be useful with Agricultural and Environmental Systems students studying water analysis. Students must have some hands-on experience in determining alkalinity, pH, and water hardness to do this open-ended investigation. Discussion could be extended to include how to test for toxic spills, oil spills, and waste discharge. Students will see this activity as having real world value. (jrs)