CLEVELAND — Some Northeast Ohio high school students are taking a closer look at where their drinking water comes from.
Volunteers with the General Motors stamping plant in Parma, along with folks from Big Creek Connects and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District showed the students how water is tested for contaminants.
“Two things that we get out of this: We get the sustainability aspect that GM is definitely behind, and we’re promoting the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education at the same time,” said Diane Palmer, senior environmental engineer at GM.
Keiton Harrison searched for macros in water from Big Creek.
He said they’re good at hiding.
“Basically we’re trying to figure out if they’re pollution-sensitive,” he said.
Keiton joined a group of about 100 high school students to perform some citizen science experiments.
Testing the pH value of the creek’s water was fun for aspiring NASA engineer Jamir Rogers.
“I think it’s really good information to know, especially since you drink water,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tyrone Flenoy tested for nitrates to see if the water was polluted.
He said the batch was at a good level.
“It’s good for our health, it’s good for our skin,” Tyrone said. “And it’s good for our community.”
The students learned the community plays a big part in the health of our drinking water, something Mia Stingley witnessed with a demonstration of contaminants like fertilizers flowing into a local lake.
“I think it’s just something that everyone just kind of overlooks,” she said. “Oh, let me just put this down and fix my problem. But you know, it could lead to bigger problems.”
