Research Summaries

Two types of research are sponsored by the Center. The first is scientific research within the field that can demonstrate reasonable transfer opportunities and, in addition, can be understood, is relevant to and can be utilized by teachers and administrators in grades K-16+. The second is curricular research designed to develop innovative materials and methods for incorporating an examination of transportation and environmental issues in grades K-12.

Scientific Research:

During the first two years of this Center's program, two scientific research projects were accepted and conducted on Assumption's Campus. Dr. Brian Niece presented two grant proposals for years 2000 and 2001. Each grant provided funding to further his research with the help of an undergraduate student and a high school student as assistants.

#0009: The first project, Catalytic Electrode Surfaces for Fuel Cell Applications, conducted for the grant year 2000-2001, was part of Dr. Niece's ongoing research in the study of fuel cells. Fuel cells show promise as environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuel combustion for transportation uses. The research project focused on determining the effect of hydroxide ions on the reduction of hydrogen peroxide, a reaction which is important in fuel cells which use atmospheric oxygen as a reactant. Two papers and a class presentation to the students' peers were the means of disseminating the results of their work.

Creating Catalytic Fuel Cell Surfaces by Means of Underpotential Deposition of Bi³⁺ on Au Surfaces in Ionic Liquids was presented as part of the research requirements by Assumption College undergraduate Robert E. Doe, 2000 UTC Student of the Year. This paper may be accessed by clicking on the title.

Doherty High School Junior, Yuet Ping Tai, 2001 UTC Student of the Year, gave a presentation of her research to her peers at Doherty High School in Worcester, MA.

In August 2002, Dr. Niece presented a poster session at the American Chemical Society in Boston, MA. His paper, titled, Underpotential Deposition of Bi from the Ionic Liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Bromide, is the results of his on-going investigation regarding fuel cells, incorporating the results of the research by Robert Doe and Yuet Ping Tai. The report may be downloaded from this site. Copies of the research are also available upon request in the UTC Office.

#0108: The second project conducted under the guidance of Dr. Niece by an Assumption College undergraduate and a high school student is titled Student Conducted Studies of MTBE Oxidation in Ionic Liquids. This research has implications for the effectiveness of removing organic pollutants such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated groundwater. MTBE is a common oxygenate added to gasoline to reduce automobile emissions and improve octane ratings. This additive has recently been found to contaminate ground water near filling stations and other gasoline storage facilities. Yuet Ping Tai was again the high school student chosen to work on this project. She presented the results of her research and the underlying scientic and environmental issues to other high school students at the end of the project.

#0109: Sub-Watershed Hydrologic Study of the Worcester Area had a primary goal to determine the hydrologic balance of the headwater brooks of the Blackstone River in Worcester, MA and to utilize Worcester public school students in the collection of professional level scientific data. Additional goals included:

* installing staff gages at selected sites for discharge measurement.
* providing equipment to participating teachers.
* providing the data to the Blackstone Headwaters Coalition and the Worcester DPW.
* educating numerous students about water resources and our role in the local water quality.
* identifying the role of transportation and the storm sewer system on streamflow.

As can be seen in the final report, unusual contaminant events in O'Hara and Beaver Brook occurred and this information was conveyed to the Worcester DPW and was corrected. The contaminant problem was found to be a result of the flushing of material off of the streets and through the storm sewer system.  The 2001 winter was long and entailed the use of considerable road salt.  In the spring of 2002 it was noted that 70% of the flow in the Beaver Brook watershed stemmed from storm sewers.  One of the most important outcomes from this grant is the ongoing studies that in the fall of 2002 identified another illicit sewer connection in Beaver Brook 8 storm sewer district.  The work also continues in expanding the flow measurement network.  In Worcester 11 stations have been emplaced, with two more planned.

Another result of this study has led to the development of expertise by repetitive daily observations of water quality on the part of the more than 200 students that participated in this project.  The presence of unusual pH, soapy bubbles, toilet paper, rusting and extreme turbidity could be associated with specific weather or neighborhood events.

This grant has allowed for four stage meters to be installed and with the measuring of flow in the streams, a rating curve has been developed for each. Additional funding from the Blackstone Headwaters Coalition has allowed nine more sites to be completed in the Worcester Headwaters area, each with an installed stage and a rating curve. Now all water quality measurements in the area can yield a concentration and a load.

Work with the Worcester DPW will continue after the grant work is completed. Problem spots are located and the DPW repairs the site. Since more than 60% of all the water leaving Worcester pass out through the storm sewer system, the monitoring of them is very important. Collaborative efforts between Nichols College, Worcester Public Schools, Broad Meadow Brook Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary and funding from the University Transportation Center and the Blackstone Headwaters Coalition has provided Dr. Pelto with means to continue this important study.  

This is an ongoing study and can be reviewed as more data is complied through the years. It is an example of how education/research personnel can work with local organizations to evaluate and eliminate problems that compromise our environment through transportation, specific weather and/or neighborhood events.

#0005: Testing of Road-runoff Rainwater for Heavy Metals and Petroleum by Schools and Volunteer Groups provided students with Hach DR 2010 Spectrophotometers, bought with the UTC grant funds, so that the testing and measuring of heavy metals and polyaromatic hydrocarbons of road-runoff rainwater which contribute most of the pollution to streams and rivers could be conducted in their area of study. Students located areas of high roadway pollution were able to get better testing results through the Spectrophotometers. They then presented their test results to the local government and pressed for the introduction of stormwater filtration in those critical areas. A continuation of the program led to applying to both the state of Rhode Island and Massachusetts for storm drain filters to be placed at problem sites. Rhode Island turned down the grant request but Massachusetts provided the funding for the placement of stormwater filtration screens in two critical areas. Further testing of the stormwater runoff will be conducted to see if the water has improved as a result of the stormwater filtration. Results will be sent to state of Massachusetts showing the before and after testing results.

A further result of this study indicated the need for continued testing and other grants were applied for allowing for the increase in the number of electronic water testing instruments (12) for schools and volunteers to use in the Blackstone Valley.

The twenty-week curriculum developed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, BRVNHCC, Epa Region I, Blackstone Valley Community Pollution Prevention Project was used with approximately 300 students at schools within the Blackstone Valley Corridor. This curriculum is one that can be adapted across the United States.

#0105: Blackstone River Studies was designed to involve all types of students in the identification of sites along the Blackstone River that they can monitor over an extended period of time. The course is part of a much larger effort to involve students and teachers in the Valley Corridor in a study of the River and in the efforts to identify sources of pollution and improve its health. The results of this study of the Blackstone River can be seen in the videos and powerpoint presentations and upon request in the UTC office.

Curricular Research:

#0003: Trails, Roads, Rivers and Rails This project supported student-teacher collaboration in the production of an interactive CD ROM for use in the primary and middle school grades and libraries throughout the Blackstone River Valley Corridor. Principal investigators are Mr. Jerry Assis, biology and physiology teacher and project director, Mr. Robert A. Scappini, social studies teacher, and Mr. Vincent Hey, mathematics and chemistry teacher. The focus of the interactive CD ROM is the Blackstone River Valley Corridor and the students concentrated on developing the themes of transportation on the river, life in the river, development of the valley, etc. The CD ROM may be obtained by contacting Mr. Jerry Assis or by calling the UTC Office.

#0004 & #0110: Worcester Earn - A – Bike is an experiential learning program for low income, at-risk youths between the ages of 9 and 15 and is developed by the Worcester Chapter of the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike). Using Worcester's Marshall “Major” Taylor, 1899 World Champion cyclist, as a role model, the project provided opportunities for at-risk youths to gain self-esteem through completion of the program and exposure to entrepreneurial development resources at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Empowerment Center. Principal investigators are Gregory Root, chairperson of the Worcester Chapter, and Eric Larsson. Students were taught by instructors using a curriculum designed to instill confidence and to develop awareness of the value of alternative means of transportation.

#0007: Exploring Our New Neighborhood - Our Community's Growth and Changes resulted in curricular units and a website designed by Linda Weaver, Principal Investigator and third grade teacher at Roosevelt School. This website, titled "Are we there yet?", provides the students with a unique method of learning about transportation throughout the history of the United States. This website is now being used by other teachers across the Country after finding out about the project through an online course taken by Ms. Weaver.

The students in Roosevelt Schools' three third grades explored the historical progression of transportation throughout the United States with an emphasis on the ways that developing transportation systems within and through communities transform both their natural and built environments. Beginning with the Colonial Period, students investigated movable communities including Pilgrims, Pioneers, and Native Americans and proceeded to compare transportation in rural and urban areas. Students were encouraged to explore the effect that changing patterns in transportation influence the way communities educate their children. Activities, designed to encompass the learning standard components in the Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Frameworks, included creating timelines, engaging in debates, developing mapping skills and creating historical as well as futuristic models of their environment. The students focused on woodlands, pond life, vernal pools, salamanders, animal and plant life cycles, and the effect of "progress" on these habitats and organisms. Students engaged in research, read related fictional and nonfiction texts, and helped write and produce a play.