By Victoria Bracetti. "Quarter for Water" Campaign President.
This school problem based learning project consist
in two parts: The application and use of the skills using the scientific
method in a controlled authentic
experiment to test fresh water and the use of the higher thinking skill
analyzing, evaluating and action decision in analyzing a global problem: Fresh
water supplies in an African country.
Olga Gueits, biology and chemistry teacher , Robin J Hamrick,
English/ESL and Multicultural Studies Teacher, their classes and tutor Mr H.Toan have decided they want to take action and make a difference in the global water crisis. They
are going to make a sacrifice and make water the only beverage for 2 weeks and
take the money they would have spent in soda, sport drinks, juice, etc and put
aside to give clean water to an identified school in Sierra Leone in Africa. They are
collecting the savings under the logo “Quarter for Water” in a poster designed
by biology student Michael Salem . The goal is to contribute to drill a
fresh water well as part of the Water Challenge (www.The Water Project. Org
) This is the second phase of a whole school year science project. The
first phase of the project was a science research. The main idea is to students
learn to understand the world through the science discipline, and at the same
time strengthen their understanding of the core subject in a global concept
.This phase began when Dr Irene Javier,
Principal, provided Ms Gueits, early in the school year ,with the necessary
materials and equipment for the scienceresearch. Ms Gueits developed an instructional model to help students to understand the
chemistry and biology of fresh water sources. Each student was assigned a different investigation to study the effect
of different known algae ( P.
bursaria, Euglena, Blepharina, Didinium, P. aureate, Vorticella, ,Volvox,
Clamydomonas, Stentor and
others) on different parameters in
samples of Lake Erie water: Carbon Dioxide, Sulfates, Nitrates, Carbonates,
Acidity, Temperature, Conductivity and Dissolved Oxygen. For five months the students were making use of the
scientific method by collecting sample of water of Lake Erie, planting algae in
the sample models under laboratory conditions and collecting data and
observation in tables. They took pictures of the procedures. Finally, they
analyzed the data, constructed graphics, stated conclusions and prepared a written report and a display of
the science project.
The final stage of the
project is in process and consist of a panel like assembly. Mrs
Hamrick-Guerrero has identified a partner school’s students through Challenge 20/20 Program in the
Republic of Georgia and our academy will
interact though the internet and communicate findings and concerns regarding of
the importance to protect our fresh water resources and how we can join the hundreds of groups helping to change
everything for a community in need of water around the globe.
To accomplish the task for
the second phase of the project, students have organized fundraising committees
with student as officers: Presidents,
Treasuries, and Secretaries per science classes. The volunteer leaders are:
Victoria Bracetti, Amber Douglas, Jamie Rivera, Guadalupe Rogel, Kermit Laboy,
Isorailys Lacen, Steven Gonzalez, Cassandra Peterson, Alexis Chaver, Robert
White, Abigail Pagan, Joshua Sweeny ,Sheila Reyes ,Abigail Velez and Solmarie Del Valle. They have selected a school in Sierra Leone, Africa where they want to contribute to build a fresh water well.
Ms Gueits concludes that “attitudes
about fresh water sustainability, management and conservation find that people
around the world view water issues as the planet’s top environmental problem,
greater than air pollution, depletion of natural resources, loss of habitat and
climate warming. We have a moral responsibility to do something to help people
without access to clean water” . Ms Hamrick-Guerrero also say that “We have to be concerned because this is our world , our only
world”.
Thanks to this project we are learning how to investigate the world,
how to recognize perspectives, how to communicate ideas an how to take actions for a better world.
Date | Donor | Amount | Message |
---|---|---|---|
05/20/12 | International Studies Academy @ LWHS Cleveland, Ohio | $270.00 | |
05/07/12 | International Studies Academy @ Lincoln-West H.S. Cleveland, Ohio | $350.00 | |
04/05/12 | Julia Phillips | $10.00 | |
04/02/12 | Nicole Lawrence | $20.00 | |
03/30/12 | Alena Merimee | $10.00 | |
03/30/12 | Kim Vargas | $10.00 |
Did you know nearly 1 billion people don't have safe water to drink?
Together, we can change that. Let's fund a new source of drinking water for those who suffer needlessly without it!
Our gifts will be used to construct or rehabilitate a water project, like a well or sand dam, in Africa. We'll see pictures, GPS coordinates, and updates as they come in from the actual water project we fund so we can celebrate the results along with the community we help.
The Water Project, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization unlocking human potential by providing clean, safe water to communities around the world who suffer needlessly without.
Working with local partners in countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Uganda, we build long lasting water projects that are organized, owned and managed by the communities receiving them.
Together, with our partners we identify, implement, report on and follow up on every project. Then we share the whole story with you to inspire confidence in the work being done and the impact it has.