lesson 2:

water quality analysis with turbidity meter

learning goals:

  • you will analyze water turbidity as an indicator of water quality and learn its implications for human and environmental health.

  • you will explore how natural and human-made factors impact water purity and discuss real-world challenges in water availability and filtration.

(this full-length lesson includes more complex builds and coding.)

materials

  • jar

  • usb cable

  • paint packets

  • makewater pattern

Quick Version:

Hands-on & Classroom-Ready

let’s start ↓

Step 1: preparing the water sample

  1. Add the paint packet to the mason jar filled with water and screw the lid onto the mason jar.

  2. Shake the mason jar until the water is too dark to see through.

    Optional: You may also use other water samples: such as a water sample from a natural water source near you, tap water, bottled drinking water, or processed water sample from MakeWater electrocoagulation kit from Lesson 1.

Step 3: discuss water purity & availability

  1. Compare turbidity readings from different water sources.

  2. Discuss how turbidity affects water quality, human health, and aquatic ecosystems. Consider factors affecting water purity (e.g., pollution, climate, infrastructure) and explore solutions.

Step 2: use the turbidity tester

  1. Take the printed MakeWater circle pattern and tape it to the bottom of a clear cup or jar. So that when you look to the cup, it appears as if the pattern is inside the cup..

  2. Pour your water sample into the cup. Look from the top. Can you see the pattern clearly?

  3.  Use this scale to score the turbidity (how cloudy the water is):
     1 = Very clear (pattern is sharp and easy to see)
     2 = Clear (pattern is slightly faded)
     3 = Cloudy (pattern is blurry)
     4 = Very cloudy (pattern barely visible)
     5 = Very turbid (pattern not visible at all)

  4. Test all your samples using this same method and write down the turbidity score for each one.

Share your findings with us!