In the seminar Science, Technology, and Society, headed by Dr. Charles Walker, we discussed the values and obligations that science and technology have to society. Such topics as the anatomy of power were examined and questions were raised as to whether or not scientists exercise power. If scientists exercise power, in what way do they exercise power? Another question raised during the seminar was, is our world getting too sophisticated that only a small elite will be able to understand and possibly control our society?
The main objective of this seminar, however, was to relate science and math into the students daily lives. Basically we are trying to satisfy a physical need “in their world.” I first proposed a unit that would deal with the disposal of hazardous wastes and its effect on local water supplies. The unit, however, proved to be too long, so I have limited my unit to water; pure and impure, a limited resource, one which is slowly being contaminated by the waste products of technology.
Water is an essential constituent of all living matter, from vegetation, to animals and especially man. It is the most abundant compound in the human body, making up about 70% of our total body weight. Water is essential for all bodily functions, so much so that a person can survive longer without food than water.
As our most common resource, water covers 70% of the earth’s surface. It can be found in our oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, even glacial deposits, and of course, water is always present in our atmosphere. 97% of the earth’s water is saline (salt) water with vast amounts of dissolved minerals. More than 70 elements have been detected in the mineral content of sea water. The world’s fresh water comprises the other 3% of which two-thirds is locked up in the polar ice caps and glaciers. The remaining fresh water is found in ground water, lakes and our atmosphere.
Man uses water not only for drinking and cooking, but also for bathing, washing, laundering, heating, and air conditioning; for agriculture, raising stock and gardens; for industrial purposes, cooling, for water power and steam power; for fire protection; for disposal of wastes; and for recreational purposes such as swimming, fishing and boating.
Every activity of man involves some use of water. For many of these uses, the water must be drawn from a water source. Often, the water that is drawn is returned to the same water source, either with pollutants or increased temperature or both. If taken from large water supplies (i.e.,. rivers, lakes and streams), this water is used over and over again by downstream communities.
The quality of water suitable for man’s needs varies widely, and what is satisfactory for one purpose may not be for another. Since water is such an important part of human life, this unit proposes to discuss the following:
|
|
I.
|
physical properties of Pure Water
|
|
|
II.
|
Physical Properties of Impure Water
|
|
|
III.
|
The Water Cycle
|
|
|
IV.
|
Purification Techniques of Natural Waters
|
|
|
V.
|
Purification Systems in New Haven
|
|
|
VI.
|
Drinking Water Quality & Protection
|
|
|
VII.
|
Conservation
|
|
|
VIII.
|
Appendix
|
