Animas Test Kitchen
Communicating Science about the Gold King Mine Spill and Water Quality in the Animas River
Essential Questions
Reflection
To what degree do scientists have an obligation to communicate scientific concepts and data to the public in an understandable manner?
Scientific study exists to explain natural phenomena, solve problems, and predict the results of these phenomena. It is often the first and foremost the duty of a scientist to communicate concepts to the public. This cannot be achieved without making this data understandable. Not only is it an obligation of a scientist is to communicate concepts and data in an understandable manner, but it is an essential piece of humanity’s progression. For instance, scientists researching ebola need to communicate symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods to the public. Simply working on a cure for ebola will help save lives, but won’t eradicate it.
How has your understanding of scientific knowledge and/or the process of doing science changed throughout the semester as you’ve examined and manipulated data collected by professional scientists and performed analogous experiments to collect and analyze your own data?
An interesting skill I learned this year was collaboration and receiving feedback on a scientific project. This was really helpful to me and will likely continue being useful for many years to come. I thought it was really helpful to get feedback from others who are knowledgeable about the subject, and this skill is very applicable to my work in computer programming. Overall my project improved greatly due to feedback, specifically a piece involving the addition of a word cloud.
What is the role of science in making policy decisions?
Science is an essential piece to making any rational decision. Without valid reason behind a decision, misconceptions often run wild. Science allows us to dispel these misconceptions and make informed decisions. I strongly believe that without proper logical or scientific backing, no policy decision should be made. An excellent example of this is the misconception stating vaccines cause autism. There is no scientific backing to this theory, and it has caused many people to become sick due to lack of vaccination.
What actions can be taken to improve the water quality in Cement Creek and the Animas River watershed?
To improve the water quality in the Animas River and Cement Creek, we need to begin treating water flowing out of mines. However, most of Cement Creek’s water quality problems are natural, and I would argue that attempting to slow or halt the phenomena that account for this would be futile, or cause unforeseen issues with the ecosystem.
Product
- How have geological, biological and human factors created and exacerbated acid mine drainage and water quality issues in the Animas River?
- What ecological and human health threats might be associated with the Gold King Mine spill: initially, currently and in the future?
- What actions can be taken to improve the water quality in Cement Creek and the Animas River watershed?
- What is the role of science in making policy decisions?
Reflection
To what degree do scientists have an obligation to communicate scientific concepts and data to the public in an understandable manner?
Scientific study exists to explain natural phenomena, solve problems, and predict the results of these phenomena. It is often the first and foremost the duty of a scientist to communicate concepts to the public. This cannot be achieved without making this data understandable. Not only is it an obligation of a scientist is to communicate concepts and data in an understandable manner, but it is an essential piece of humanity’s progression. For instance, scientists researching ebola need to communicate symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods to the public. Simply working on a cure for ebola will help save lives, but won’t eradicate it.
How has your understanding of scientific knowledge and/or the process of doing science changed throughout the semester as you’ve examined and manipulated data collected by professional scientists and performed analogous experiments to collect and analyze your own data?
An interesting skill I learned this year was collaboration and receiving feedback on a scientific project. This was really helpful to me and will likely continue being useful for many years to come. I thought it was really helpful to get feedback from others who are knowledgeable about the subject, and this skill is very applicable to my work in computer programming. Overall my project improved greatly due to feedback, specifically a piece involving the addition of a word cloud.
What is the role of science in making policy decisions?
Science is an essential piece to making any rational decision. Without valid reason behind a decision, misconceptions often run wild. Science allows us to dispel these misconceptions and make informed decisions. I strongly believe that without proper logical or scientific backing, no policy decision should be made. An excellent example of this is the misconception stating vaccines cause autism. There is no scientific backing to this theory, and it has caused many people to become sick due to lack of vaccination.
What actions can be taken to improve the water quality in Cement Creek and the Animas River watershed?
To improve the water quality in the Animas River and Cement Creek, we need to begin treating water flowing out of mines. However, most of Cement Creek’s water quality problems are natural, and I would argue that attempting to slow or halt the phenomena that account for this would be futile, or cause unforeseen issues with the ecosystem.
Product