Out of the Lab and Into the Field:
Using a Real-World Site for
Instrumental Analysis
Melissa M. Strait
Alma College
Alma, Michigan 48801
Alma College
 Private,
Liberal Arts Institution
 1300 students
 Middle of Michigan
 Historic strength in science
 May Term Opportunities (Overseas travel)
 Strong program in Service Learning
Chemistry at Alma College
 Core
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Program in Chemistry:
General
Organic II
PChem I
Biochemistry
Upper Level
Research
Organic I
Inorganic
PChem II
Instrumental
Upper Level
Research
Alma College
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College Competencies:
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English
• Basic
• Writing = Quill
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Quill I - > 25% of grade based on writing
Quill II - In the major
> 25% of grade based on writing
Opportunity for revision and resubmission
Mathematics
Foreign Language
General Education
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Humanities (4 courses)
Social Sciences (4 courses)
Natural Sciences (4 courses)
Chemistry at Alma College
 Core
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Program in Chemistry:
General
Organic II
PChem I
Biochemistry
Upper Level
Research
Organic I
Inorganic
PChem II
Instrumental
Upper Level
Research
CHM 320
Instrumental Analysis
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Objectives
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Theory behind chemical instrumentation
Operation of chemical instrumentation available
Use the literature
Work in a group and individually
Quill II - Write in the style of a chemist
Service Learning - Impact of the work of the
chemist on society
Instrumental Analysis Lab
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Original (and Usual)
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AAS - Fe in Whiskey
IR - Plastics in Crime
LC - Caffeine in Sodas
ISE - F- in Toothpaste
MS - Scents in Cereal
UV - Phenylephrine in
Nasal Spray
Self-Determined Project
Quill II Writing
 Writing
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Weekly Lab Reports
Proposal
Technical Paper
Abstract
Presentation
 Project
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Involve writing
Involve the local community
Projects
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Self-Selected
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Al in tea
Metals in coins
Fe in plastics
Trace elements in clay
Fake antiquities
Water in oils
Mo in steel
Cu in crab blood
PCB’s n penguin eggs
Vitamin E in formula
Etc., etc. etc.
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Service Project
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Community - Service
Content - Learning
Self-Directed
Use Knowledge
Positive Outcome
Reflect on Outcome
Project?
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Velsicol Chemical
Company
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Pine River
Superfund Site
• DDT, PBB
Project?
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Total Petroleum
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Horse Creek
Pine River
• Petroleum
Project?
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Ultramar-DiamondShamrock Petroleum
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Horse Creek
Pine River
• Petroleum
Project?
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Valero Petroleum
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Horse Creek
Pine River
• Petroleum
Project?
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Oxford Automotive
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Pine River
• Chromium
• Heavy Metals
Project?
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Vestaburg Community
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Bass Lake
Rock Lake
• 2,4-D
• CuSO4
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Problem Solved
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Weevils to eat the
watermilfoil
Project?
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Alma Iron and Metal
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Pine River
• Heavy Metals
Project?
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Lead in the Home
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Lead
After School Program
Project?
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Saginaw Valley Field
and Stream Club
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Shooting Club
• Lead
Projects
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Service Project
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Community - Service
Content - Learning
Self-Directed
Use Knowledge
Positive Outcome
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Lead at the Gun Club
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Surface
Depth
Vegetation
Fish
Lake Water
Instrumental Analysis Lab
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Original (and Usual)
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AAS - Fe in Whiskey
 IR - Plastics in Crime
 LC - Caffeine in Sodas
 ISE - F in Toothpaste
 MS - Scents in Cereal
 UV - Phenylephrine in
Nasal Spray
Self-Determined Project
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Current
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Lead on the Border
•
•
•
•
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Scent Components
•
•
•
•
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AAS
HPLC
UV/Visible
ISE
GC
NMR
MS
IR
Service Project
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Aspects of the Gun Club
The Writing
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Proposal
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Multiple drafts
1 proposal “funded”
Sample
Analyze Samples
Write “paper”
Write Abstract
“Conference”
Proposals
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Survey of Surface
Grab samples in Lake
1 foot cores
Fish
Vegetation
Resurvey of Surface
Acid Digestion - Total
TCLP - Soluble
Trap and Skeet Range Results
Practice
Station #2
Field
Station #3
Skeet
Station #4
Distance
(ft.)
Lead
(mg/kg)
Distance
(ft.)
Lead
(mg/kg)
Distance
(ft.)
Lead
(mg/kg)
1
108
1
28
1
37
150
127
150
>500
150
44
300
>700
300
38
300
14
450
>12000
450
70
450
>4000
590
141
563
3
522
38
594
135
564
13
523
133
596
0
566
0.002
525
0
Quality Control
Relative Error
+0.23 mg/kg
Relative Standard Deviation
+0.046 mg/kg
Detection Limit
0.040 mg/kg
Sensitivity
Linear Range
True Values Blank
10.0 mg/kg
0.058
0.11 - 20 mg/kg
0.0 mg/kg
9.9 mg/kg
Outcomes
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Real World Problem
Real World Audience
Application of Classroom
Skills Learned
Thoughtful
Recommendations
Jobs for Students
Grant
Scholarships
Acknowledgements

CHM 320-Instrumental

2004
• Karen Ault, Theresa Guinther,
Brandon McNally, Ben
Murray, Dan Rito, Paul
Sibbald, Jim Wegener

2005
• Kevin Beggs, Andy
Brzezinski, Josh Rosenthal,
Ashley Widrig

2006
• Kyle Gilde, Kelly Marks, Tom
Montgomery, Jon Naile, Erica
Sandel, Melissa Sjostrom,
Matt Stempki, Tim Swanson,
Caleb Woods, Tessia
Zawilinski
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CHM 499 - Research
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Jonathon Naile
Jeremy Hix
Erik Larsen
Acknowledgements
 Alma
College Chemistry Department
 Alma College Geology and Environmental
Studies Department
 Saginaw Valley Field and Stream Club
 Jerry Faubel
 Murray Borrello
 Alanah Fitch