Students test and compare water samples. Science skills observing measuring organizing Concepts Nitrate levels vary in time and space in natural bodies of water and in drinking water supplies. Nitrate levels correlate with land use practices. Students collect samples and test for nitrate levels. Students compare different sites for nitrate levels.
Students speculate about land use and nitrate levels.
It could be anything from a county map to a world map if you buy fancy foreign bottled water. Nitrate is stable in water samples stored out of the light where algae cannot grow. You can collect water samples from streams, lakes and drinking water supplies while traveling on vacation. Your colleagues or students can bring samples from home. It is especially interesting to compare rural well water from an agricultural area with city tap water.