This study explored how continuous diverse reflective exercises embedded in a Community Service Learning chemistry lab support science students' meaningful learning. The findings of this study are intended for those involved in teaching natural science in higher education, as well as those interested in Community Service Learning, self-directed…

Water pollution is one of the biggest environmental issues of our times. To address such a huge challenge, the full involvement of everyone is required. In this context, we report the results of outreach hands-on activities aimed at presenting to the general public two classes of materials with high potential in the removal of common water…

There is a problem in Minneapolis communities at the intersection of ecological and social systems. Despite efforts to use native prairie plants for cleaning water, the social justice stories connected to native prairie plants were being ignored. This problem has negatively impacted communities because native prairie plants can be an educational…

Differences in attitudes, perceived behavioral control, social norms (i.e., influence of others), and intent to engage in good residential landscape fertilizer practices were examined among people with high- and low-exposure to water bodies (blue space). Florida's residential fertilizer users are exposed to stormwater retention ponds, lakes, and…

Coagulation is an important process in the context of water purification; and the seed protein of the moringa tree ("Moringa oleifera") is a remarkably effective coagulant. The laboratory course described here is designed to provide high-school students with a stepwise, hands-on experience in investigating the protein-rich coagulant…

Historically, high levels of self-reported stress, anxiety, and depression are quite common among STEM students. Unfortunately, after multiple semesters of disrupted education due to COVID-19, these mental struggles among students, especially first-year (freshmen) undergraduate engineering students, have only been exacerbated. To mitigate these…

Project-based learning (PBL) empowers students to become active learners. In this work computational reverse osmosis (RO) projects developed from industrial case studies and research were implemented in several chemical engineering courses to enhance student learning experience. Students not only gained knowledge in water treatment, but also…

H[subscript 2]O Heroes is an environmental education programme, which was piloted with primary school students aged 7-10 years in a rural community in Co. Cavan, Ireland. Environmental education is frequently aimed at children not just as an educational initiative but as a means of changing attitudes and behaviour. H[subscript 2]O Heroes brings…

Continuous professional development is critical for Extension staff, and many agriculture-focused Extension employees are tasked with outreach related to a wide variety of natural resource topics. The purpose of this study is to help prioritize trainings needed by Kansas Extension agents and specialists based on their current level of knowledge…

A functionalized fiber (PAN[subscript ADMAP]F) was synthesized by immobilizing "N,N'"-dimethyl-"N"-(4-pyridinyl)-1,3-propanediamine (ADMAP, a DMAP analogue) onto the surface of polyacrylonitrile fibers (PANF). The structure and morphology of the functionalized fibers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared…

Chemistry experiments are challenging for people with vision impairment (VI) as results often rely on visual observations such as a color change. This puts pupils with VI at a disadvantage both in their scientific learning and in their development of broader life skills. In this paper, we describe a simple and low-cost experiment on the adsorption…

This article explores collaborative pedagogical approaches to museum exhibit design through a partnership between an anthropology class and the Blackwater Draw Museum at Eastern New Mexico University. This collaboration brought together faculty, staff, undergraduate, and graduate students to showcase the regionally relevant issues of water overuse…

We describe Pennsylvania's Commercial Manure Hauler and Broker Certification Program and discuss results of an industry survey. Survey knowledge questions were centered on state-mandated program competencies designed to minimize environmental losses of manure nutrients. Survey results demonstrated that participation in state-directed,…

The use of unsafe water as a source for drinking, cooking, and bathing can lead to serious health complications. Point of Use (POU) water treatment technologies can play an important role in making safe and clean drinking water available to communities. One low-cost, low-technology POU system is the biosand filter (BSF). BSFs offer an effective…

Haiti is among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world, and Haitian youth face disproportionate risks to their health and well-being. Yet, to date, few studies have partnered with young people to position them as agents of change addressing climate change impacts in their communities, particularly in Global South contexts. As a step…