Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of the STEM Environmental Technology/Water course is to introduce the learners to the basic principles of water testing and treatment methods and explore how human activity has affected some aspects of the environment which impact water directly. Thereby, students understand the importance of water resources in life and develop solutions to protect the environment, contributing to improving human life later on. Both potable (drinking) water and wastewater are addressed in this course.
Knowledge
- Define issues that face the current state of the water supply
- Understand hard water softening
- Explore how the living things on Earth use water
- Understand the natural process of the water cycle
- Understand the nature of acids, bases and salts
- Use definitions and measurements to determine acid / base properties
- Identify of contaminants in wastewater
- Explore modern wastewater treatment technologies and methods
Skills
- Demonstrate laboratory skills necessary for water testing and treatment: sedimentation, screening, filtration and disinfection, pH measurement and dissolved oxygen measurement
- Calculate household water consumption
- Evaluate the problem using knowledge from biology, chemistry, and physical science backgrounds
- Apply the engineering design process and scientific method
- Enhance learners’ practice skills, carefulness and patience
- Design innovative solutions to real-world problems, challenges, wants, and needs