Teachers will also learn about the scientific development of alternatives to toxic chemicals through molecular biology methods at firms such as AgraQuest and NovaNordisk. The workshop helps teachers show students the relationship of scientific investigation to the identification and solution of environmental problems. Furthermore, they see that many different environmental professions utilize different kinds of scientifically-based investigations to try to protect human health from environmental contaminants. They also see that students may be an important part of the solutions, both now and in future careers. The K-12 Science Alliance is composed of organizations which were initiated by the National Science Teachers Association and the US Department of Education with a National Science Foundation grant to reform science education.
Environmental science is an ideal vehicle for student investigation.
The relationship of clean water to human health is well known, and the Clean Water Act has focused national and local concern on the contamination of watersheds. Since our local area contains Putah Creek, Cache Creek, the Sacramento River and the American River, all of which are focuses of concern, the subject of Watershed Contamination Problems and Solutions is an appropriate topic for teachers to use to teach integrated chemistry and biology classes.