In summer 2024, the NIEHS-funded North Carolina State University (NC State) Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center will launch a year-long project to bring data science to middle and high school classrooms across North Carolina. It has started. In partnership with the North Carolina Center for Human Health and Environment, the program incorporates data from the SRP Center’s research on PFAS, a group of hazardous man-made chemicals that are difficult to degrade.
“Developing the next generation of researchers, along with using data science and interdisciplinary methods to tackle complex research questions, is a priority for SRP,” said Dr. Michelle Heacock, director of NIEHS’ Hazardous Materials Research Division. There is,” he said. “It’s inspiring to see our grantees start this training early. Introducing data science in middle and high schools will prepare students for a data-driven world and help them critically It is critical to fostering thinking and collaboration while developing skills for future careers in technology, healthcare, and environmental science.”
To design the program, the team at North Carolina State University partnered with Taryn Shelton, a former science teacher who now connects educators to science-related learning opportunities at North Carolina State’s Science House and Data Science Academy.
“We recognized that for our programs to truly benefit teachers, we needed to design them in collaboration with those who had been in the classroom,” said Katie May, North Carolina SRP Center Community Engagement Core Leader. ” “Teachers are the experts in K-12 education and we are the experts in research. By working together, we can have the greatest impact.”
Summer workshop begins program
The program began with two workshops held on North Carolina State University’s campus, bringing together 11 teachers June 24-28 and July 22-24 to learn data science techniques and learn about data science at the university. We investigated the research being conducted. Teachers also visited laboratories and had the opportunity to meet scientists and ask questions about their research.
“We wanted to make it easy for teachers in rural and urban North Carolina to participate,” May said. “So we provided housing and food for the teachers who came to campus.”
Teachers visited a research lab in North Carolina to learn about an SRP-funded research project using zebrafish. The tour was led by center trainees Ashley Connors (second from left) and Emma Hepworth. (Photo courtesy of North Carolina)
Creating an interdisciplinary lesson plan
After the campus experience, the teachers broke into groups and began creating lesson plans using data from North Carolina State University’s PFAS research. These lessons aim to be locally relevant and aligned with North Carolina state science standards. The program encourages teachers from different science disciplines to collaborate.
One group of biology and math teachers is using data from North Carolina State University’s zebrafish study to develop lessons on understanding immune responses to PFAS. Another group of environmental and physical science teachers is planning a case study on water pollution using local surface water measurements from a North Carolina study. Other groups are using data from soil and vegetable samples to build on SRP studies that show that adding PFAS-free compost to contaminated soil reduces uptake of chemicals by plants.
In addition to scientific data, teachers are also incorporating insights from a statewide study led by North Carolina State. The survey collects the opinions and experiences of North Carolinians regarding PFAS and other environmental health issues. This allows students to understand the broader real-world impacts of PFAS research on local communities.
Teachers collaborated to create interdisciplinary classroom activities using the North Carolina dataset during one of the program’s week-long workshops. (Photo courtesy of North Carolina)
“We want to encourage students to think about how different disciplines can work together to achieve common research goals,” May explained. “It’s interesting to see teachers use multiple datasets that complement each other to provide students with a complete picture of PFAS.”
Classroom testing and prospects for the future
As the school year progresses, teachers are testing lessons in the classroom and meeting virtually to share feedback and solve challenges together. The group plans to return to North Carolina on October 11-12 to present their progress and continue learning from university researchers.
The program will culminate in a symposium in Spring 2025, where teachers will present their research and discuss its impact on students. May would like to see the data science program become an annual event and receive continued funding so more teachers can participate.
Citation: Li Y, Zhi Y, Weed R, Broome SW, Knappe DRU, Duckworth OW. 2024. Commercial compost amendments inhibit the bioavailability and plant uptake of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in a soil-porewater-lettuce system. Environ Int 186:108615.
(Mali Velasco is a research and communications specialist at MDB Inc., a contractor for the NIEHS Extramural Research and Training Division.)
