(from Nutrients for Life Foundation)
High school science teachers and their students have a new education tool to study water quality this year. The H2Know digital case study, available at H2KnowLearning.org, is an investigation of water quality challenges in Lake Erie published by the Nutrients for Life Foundation (NFLF).
NFLF is an education nonprofit that provides free, high-quality resources for educators about soil science and plant nutrients. The Foundation worked with numerous experts in environmental science, water treatment, soil science, agricultural engineering and secondary education to develop the curriculum. The curriculum is written in alignment with Ohio’s Revised Science Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
“NFLF has a long history of creating exciting and engaging science-based curricula, and this digital case study is the first of what we hope are many dynamic resources that bring a relevant issue in students’ backyards to the classroom,” says Karl Barnhart, chair of the NFLF Advisory Council and EVP and chief marketing officer of Brandt, an agricultural company.
“Lake Erie is the Great Lake most affected by harmful algae blooms. It gives teachers a great opportunity to build understanding of the complexity of ecosystems, the dynamic nature of water and earth’s processes, and the human activities that impact these systems not only in the Great Lakes, but across the world,” says Jane Hunt, retired environmental science educator and contributor to the H2Know digital case study.
The H2Know curriculum features Doug Wagner, water treatment superintendent at City of Oregon, Ohio; Justin Chaffin, Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Laboratory; Logan Haake, Ohio farmer and precision agriculture manager at Legacy Farmers Cooperative; Libby Dayton, Ph.D., The Ohio State University; and Kevin King, Ph.D., USDA Agricultural Research Service.
“The next generation needs to be well-versed in technology, science and the issues. Through H2Know, students will see the multiple approaches and ongoing research in agriculture, such as using the principles of 4R nutrient stewardship, that will help achieve the phosphorus reduction target and environmental stewardship,” says Dr. King. “Bright, young students with these skills will be important for the future.”
About H2Know
H2KnowLearning.org is designed to bring the challenges, solutions, science and research related to our vital water resources to the classroom. The H2Know Lake Erie digital case study is published by the Nutrients for Life Foundation and supporting partners The Andersons Foundation, Nutrien and Ohio Soybean Council’s GrowNextGen.
