Chlorination kit distribution and Science Outreach
- January 2014 -
This year, Future Scientist completed its third Program in Sustainable Design. Our 8 participants with backgrounds in civil, mechanical, and bioengineering, developed 3 ambitious new projects for this small Panamanian community while significantly improving public awareness of water quality and water treatment methods. The goals of this year’s project were:
1. Teach a simple method of water quality testing to local students
2. Perform community outreach to raise awareness about local water quality and simple methods water treatment
3. Teach clean water techniques and the design process to local students
4. Work closely with the community to develop innovative new designs that address local issues
The trip began by meeting the students at the airport. We took a tour of Panama City our first full day, exploring Casco Viejo, the Canal and Miraflores locks, the Amador Causeway. The tour was given in almost entirely in Spanish so the student could start practicing the language right away. Our first night, we also dove into design lessons by the pool, where the students designed travel bags for each other.
The next day, we were off to Portobelo, but not before a short hike down Camino de Cruces trail. We found poison dart frogs, and leaf cutter ants, gained an appreciation for the beauty of the Panama’s rainforest. Once we arrive in Portobelo, Wilfredo, the professor of agropecuaria, took us on an impressive tour of the agricultural department at the local high school and another section of Camino de Cruces that extends behind the school.
The team worked hard during the 6 days and 7 nights in Portobelo. Our group was joined by 5 dedicated local high school students who helped us for the entire week even though their school wasn’t in session. Each day was filled with water quality lessons, community outreach, and design. Our students gathered water samples with local high school students and tested each for contamination. We then moved out into the community, handing out kits and explaining a simple method of water purification using household bleach. We handed out close to 200 kits to homes all over Portobelo and led two demonstrations at the local clinic.
On our last full day in Portobelo, we took a boat to Playa Blanca, a remote beach inside a protected lagoon. We saw mangroves, storks, and pelicans and snorkeled for a bit around the lagoon’s coral reef. We also met up with Wilfredo and the students to say our good byes. Anayansi, one of the high school students, even brought coconuts to share!
1. Teach a simple method of water quality testing to local students
2. Perform community outreach to raise awareness about local water quality and simple methods water treatment
3. Teach clean water techniques and the design process to local students
4. Work closely with the community to develop innovative new designs that address local issues
The trip began by meeting the students at the airport. We took a tour of Panama City our first full day, exploring Casco Viejo, the Canal and Miraflores locks, the Amador Causeway. The tour was given in almost entirely in Spanish so the student could start practicing the language right away. Our first night, we also dove into design lessons by the pool, where the students designed travel bags for each other.
The next day, we were off to Portobelo, but not before a short hike down Camino de Cruces trail. We found poison dart frogs, and leaf cutter ants, gained an appreciation for the beauty of the Panama’s rainforest. Once we arrive in Portobelo, Wilfredo, the professor of agropecuaria, took us on an impressive tour of the agricultural department at the local high school and another section of Camino de Cruces that extends behind the school.
The team worked hard during the 6 days and 7 nights in Portobelo. Our group was joined by 5 dedicated local high school students who helped us for the entire week even though their school wasn’t in session. Each day was filled with water quality lessons, community outreach, and design. Our students gathered water samples with local high school students and tested each for contamination. We then moved out into the community, handing out kits and explaining a simple method of water purification using household bleach. We handed out close to 200 kits to homes all over Portobelo and led two demonstrations at the local clinic.
On our last full day in Portobelo, we took a boat to Playa Blanca, a remote beach inside a protected lagoon. We saw mangroves, storks, and pelicans and snorkeled for a bit around the lagoon’s coral reef. We also met up with Wilfredo and the students to say our good byes. Anayansi, one of the high school students, even brought coconuts to share!