Exploring Real World Chemistry Through Water Filtration
Our high school chemistry students recently completed a hands‑on engineering project focused on one of the most essential resources in our daily lives: clean water. As part of an NGSS‑aligned unit on chemical interactions and engineering design, students were challenged to create their own working water filtration systems using materials such as sand, gravel, and household materials.
Throughout the project, students applied the Science and Engineering Practices by defining the problem of water contamination, identifying criteria for an effective filter, and developing prototype designs. They investigated how different materials interact with contaminants at the particle level, connecting their observations to core chemistry ideas about structure, properties, and interactions of matter. After testing their initial designs, students analyzed their data and refined their filters to improve clarity, flow rate, and overall performance—mirroring the iterative process used by environmental engineers.
This project not only strengthened students’ understanding of chemical and physical processes (NGSS HS‑PS1) but also allowed them to engage deeply with the Engineering Design standards (HS‑ETS1). Most importantly, it demonstrated how chemistry plays a vital role in solving real environmental challenges and protecting community health.
Our students rose to the challenge with creativity, curiosity, and scientific rigor. Their work is a powerful reminder that the concepts learned in the classroom have meaningful applications far beyond it.
