1. Engineering Wastewater Treatment in the Classroom WARERET 2015 S.Sanford, TR Robinson High SchoolS.Sanford, TR Robinson High School

3. The Issue: Nitrogen removal from Wastewater Nitrification under aerobic (O 2 ) conditions Nitrification under aerobic (O 2 ) conditions Denitrification under anaerobic (no O 2 ) conditions Denitrification under anaerobic (no O 2 ) conditions SND: nitrification & denitrification occur together. SND: nitrification & denitrification occur together. Understanding of SND kinetics is limited, utilization limited Understanding of SND kinetics is limited, utilization limited Significant energy & cost savings Significant energy & cost savings Nitrification NH 4 + → NO 2 - → NO 3 - Denitrification NO 3 - → N 2 Denitrification Mechanical aerators control Dissolved oxygen levels Effluent Influent Nitrification NH 4 + → NO 2 - → NO 3 - DenitrificationNO 3 - → N 2 Denitrification NO 3 - → N 2

4. The Experiment: Develop SND methodology for experiments aimed at improving kinetic models. Aerobic Anaerobic

5. Objectives: Unit Completion Create lesson plan that encompasses the E-mod and classroom lab Develop E-mod for background content & design scenarios Adapt methodology and materials for classroom use (SAFETY, APPLICABILITY) Develop methodology for SND on a bench scale SND Experiments From Lab to Classroom E-Module Development

6. The Lesson: Collaborative Learning Unit Designed to improve student awareness regarding environmental engineering processes that mitigate human impacts, specifically wastewater treatment practices Designed to improve student awareness regarding environmental engineering processes that mitigate human impacts, specifically wastewater treatment practices Students are challenged to design and build a functional bench-scale wastewater treatment system. Students are challenged to design and build a functional bench-scale wastewater treatment system. Group size and scaffolding can be differentiated depending on the level/abilities of students Group size and scaffolding can be differentiated depending on the level/abilities of students 3 Components: E-module, Lab, Field Trip 3 Components: E-module, Lab, Field Trip

7. The E-Module Based on 2 previous e- modules Based on 2 previous e- modules Provides background content about “urban water cycle” Provides background content about “urban water cycle” Provides design scenario to help students model ideas prior to lab Provides design scenario to help students model ideas prior to lab

8. E-Module: Background Delivery Waste Water & The Urban Nitrogen Cycle Waste Water & The Urban Nitrogen Cycle Learning Objectives/Vocab Learning Objectives/Vocab What’s in wastewater, and where does it come from? What’s in wastewater, and where does it come from? Why treat wastewater? Why treat wastewater? Nitrogen Cycle Processes Nitrogen Cycle Processes Nitrification NH 4 + → NO 2 - → NO 3 - Nitrification NH 4 + → NO 2 - → NO 3 - Denitrification NO 3 - → N 2 Denitrification NO 3 - → N 2

9. E-Module: Design Scenario (Scaffolded) Influent Effluent Mechanical Aerators (modify DO) mg/L NH 4 + 40 NO 3 - 0 mg/L NH 4 + NO 3 - Nitrification NH 4 + → NO 2 - → NO 3 - Place the components in the correct order to maximize N removal: Denitrification NO 3 - → N 2 DO: 0

10. E-Module: Design Scenario (Not Scaffolded) Influent Effluent Mechanical Aerators (modify DO) mg/L NH 4 + 40 NO 3 - 0 mg/L NH 4 + NO 3 - Place the components in the correct order to maximize N removal: Nitrification (aerobic) NH 4 + → NO 2 - → NO 3 - Denitrification (anerobic) NO 3 - → N 2 DO: 0

11. E-Module: Incorrect Designs Influent Effluent Mechanical Aerators (modify DO) mg/L NH 4 + 40 NO 3 - 0 mg/L NH 4 + 30 NO 3 - 10 Place the components in the correct order to maximize N removal: DO:1 DO:0 Nitrification (aerobic) NH 4 + → NO 2 - → NO 3 - Denitrification (anerobic) NO 3 - → N 2

12. E-Module: Correct Designs Influent Effluent Mechanical Aerators (modify DO) mg/L NH 4 + 40 NO 3 - 0 Place the components in the correct order to maximize N removal: DO: 5 DO: 1 Nitrification (aerobic) NH 4 + → NO 2 - → NO 3 - Denitrification (anerobic) NO 3 - → N 2 mg/L NH 4 + 0 NO 3 - 0 DO:1 Nitrification (aerobic) NH 4 + → NO 2 - → NO 3 - Denitrification (anerobic) NO 3 - → N 2

13. The Lab: Students construct a bench-scale wastewater treatment system; analyze levels of NH 4 +, NO 2 -, and NO 3 - in synthetic influent and effluent. Students construct a bench-scale wastewater treatment system; analyze levels of NH 4 +, NO 2 -, and NO 3 - in synthetic influent and effluent. Provides practical experience with measurement, data collection & analysis. Provides practical experience with measurement, data collection & analysis. Demonstrates real-world water issues that can be tackled by our students today, and tomorrow. Demonstrates real-world water issues that can be tackled by our students today, and tomorrow.

14. The Field Trip: Students collect effluent from a regional WWTP, and analyze NH 4 +, NO 2 -, and NO 3 levels for comparison to their experimental results. Students collect effluent from a regional WWTP, and analyze NH 4 +, NO 2 -, and NO 3 levels for comparison to their experimental results.

15. Assessment: E-module performance (formative) E-module performance (formative) Data collection/analysis (formative or summative) Data collection/analysis (formative or summative) Lab Report (potentially summative) Lab Report (potentially summative) Throughout the unit, the students will keep a learning log of their experiences (formative, summative) Throughout the unit, the students will keep a learning log of their experiences (formative, summative)