Education Technology


Water Quality

Activity Overview

In this activity, students' will use a pH sensor to check and compare the pH values of various water samples. They will understand the meaning and effect of pH and factors that affect pH.

Before the Activity

  • Connect the pH sensor to Channel 1 the CBL 2; unit
  • Download DataMate™ program using the TI-GRAPH LINK™ or the TI Connect™ software
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 133 -140 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:

  • Collect water samples from community sources
  • Measure the pH of distilled water
  • Measure the pH of samples one at a time rinsing the pH sensor with distilled water between measurements
  • Create a bar graph to display the data
  • Calculate the average pH of water in the community
  • Understand how pH of water affects aquatic populations
  • Explore factors that affect the pH of water bodies
  • After the Activity

    Students will complete Student Data Collection and Analysis Sheet.

    Review student results

  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary