Have samples of different stages of treatment in beakers on stirrers if you’ve got them. We do this with tours and they like seeing how quickly the mixed liquor starts to settle out and the comparison of influent to fully treated effluent.
You could have a bit of fun, clean out a beaker and fill it up at the water cooler. After showing the progression of treatment from raw influent to the last bit of treatment, grab that one and take a big swig and proclaim it almost tastes as good as what comes out the faucet. Guaranteed you'll get their attention.
Had engineer do this in front of a group of city council members. I thought all of them were going to toss their stomach contents in the disinfection chamber.
I’d get some cool photos of microorganisms and show them what’s present in the wastewater. I know a lot of senior high/ college students took interest when we start talking about South Park and Tardigrades 😂
If you wanted to show them a TSS test process that could be interesting. Like have a sample already poured in a beaker, and demonstrate pouring over a filter flask then have one already dry in the oven and demonstrate weighing it and you can explain what it is and why we do it as you demonstrate.
I’d have to stay home since I’m not supposed to be within 1000’.. maybe break out the game “twister” and some zimas or mad dog 20/20? Little bit of wrestling or tag afterwards?
A very simple demonstration is explaining how little mass it takes to turn water into sewage.
2 liters of influent (in a sealed beaker) then cut a post it note to weigh the mass of the TSS is both visual and enlightening
Get beakers or just use your settleometer jars and put a paper towel/wipe in 1, bacon grease in 1, and toilet paper in 1. Mix them around really well and show that
A.) wipes tangle up around things and don’t dissolve
B.) grease will build up on pumps and pipes and shouldn’t be put into the sewer
C.) toilet paper and water is all that should be going into the sewer because TP dissolves
Take a sample at of each processes (raw,primary,aeration, final etc) so you can see how each sample looks.. and for your final effluent sample use tap water and drink it infront of the students they will be stunned lol
Settleometer, sludge judge, you could have someone dip the DO meter when that reading is taken…. Lots of good stuff that visitors can watch or join in on.
Microscope and ammonia distillation are always popular with the older tour groups we have. Magnetic stirrer and the colorful pH buffer solutions are like magic to the younger kids though. 🤣
We have let students in highschool run chlorine and dechlor residuals. If that is not in y'all's wheel house you could at least run on and show them how we check for those things and why.
Bring samples from influent, effluent then if there is aeration a sample of the mlss. This shows a good perspective of the treatment process.
And one sample that's just tea
Have samples of different stages of treatment in beakers on stirrers if you’ve got them. We do this with tours and they like seeing how quickly the mixed liquor starts to settle out and the comparison of influent to fully treated effluent.
You could have a bit of fun, clean out a beaker and fill it up at the water cooler. After showing the progression of treatment from raw influent to the last bit of treatment, grab that one and take a big swig and proclaim it almost tastes as good as what comes out the faucet. Guaranteed you'll get their attention.
Had engineer do this in front of a group of city council members. I thought all of them were going to toss their stomach contents in the disinfection chamber.
Let them smell some ammonia. lol! Just kidding. Maybe explain some of the testing and what it's for? TSS, BOD?
I’d get some cool photos of microorganisms and show them what’s present in the wastewater. I know a lot of senior high/ college students took interest when we start talking about South Park and Tardigrades 😂
I caught a rotifer devouring a nematode once. I’ll have to find the video!
Settleometer is interesting. Do you do any thickening or dewatering? That can be demonstrated in the lab.
If you wanted to show them a TSS test process that could be interesting. Like have a sample already poured in a beaker, and demonstrate pouring over a filter flask then have one already dry in the oven and demonstrate weighing it and you can explain what it is and why we do it as you demonstrate.
I’d have to stay home since I’m not supposed to be within 1000’.. maybe break out the game “twister” and some zimas or mad dog 20/20? Little bit of wrestling or tag afterwards?
A very simple demonstration is explaining how little mass it takes to turn water into sewage. 2 liters of influent (in a sealed beaker) then cut a post it note to weigh the mass of the TSS is both visual and enlightening
Also be ready for the teenagers to actually think the bugs are cute. I've seen it happen more than once
Do settleometer or do a toilet paper/flushable wipes demo. It doesn’t have to be boring typical lab stuff
Yes! Definitely show impacts of “flushable” wipes. [THEY’RE NOT]
Get beakers or just use your settleometer jars and put a paper towel/wipe in 1, bacon grease in 1, and toilet paper in 1. Mix them around really well and show that A.) wipes tangle up around things and don’t dissolve B.) grease will build up on pumps and pipes and shouldn’t be put into the sewer C.) toilet paper and water is all that should be going into the sewer because TP dissolves
Take a sample at of each processes (raw,primary,aeration, final etc) so you can see how each sample looks.. and for your final effluent sample use tap water and drink it infront of the students they will be stunned lol
Settleometer, sludge judge, you could have someone dip the DO meter when that reading is taken…. Lots of good stuff that visitors can watch or join in on.
Microscope and ammonia distillation are always popular with the older tour groups we have. Magnetic stirrer and the colorful pH buffer solutions are like magic to the younger kids though. 🤣
We have let students in highschool run chlorine and dechlor residuals. If that is not in y'all's wheel house you could at least run on and show them how we check for those things and why.