2004 - Collaborative Workshop - Mumbai - Nov 14 (1 of 4)

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SEED Sown in India
Fr.Agnel School, Vashi
Mumbai-big city-pollution-concern-SEED COMES TO INDIA-field trips-collection of water samples-testing-observations-conclusions-ph level testing- microworld- IMAX visit- gogo board-project

SEED Sown in India Mumbai is a big, cosmopolitan city with a population of around 15 million people. Large number of people from other parts of India and the world has migrated to Mumbai leading to human congestion. Due to the concrete jungles, the once pleasant environment has been degraded leading to severe health hazards. The deforestation and pollution is a cause for great concern.

To bring awareness and to educate the youth regarding water pollution, an international organization SEED has come to India to conduct its first workshop here, in Mumbai. Schools from all over the country including Delhi, Chennai, Baroda and Mumbai participated in the 5 daylong programs. Ours, Fr. Agnel School was one of them.
The workshop started with an introduction of the activities of the organization and objectives of the workshop followed by a field trip to Vihar and Powai lakes on Day 1. Water samples from both the lakes were collected and various tests were conducted on them. The results were as follows:

TEST VIHAR POWAI
Temperature 30 deg C 30 deg C
Dissolved oxygen 4 ppm 4 ppm
Nitrate 0 ppm 0 ppm
Phosphate 1 ppm 1 ppm
Coliform Positive Positive
Ph 8 8
Turbidity 40 JTU 40 JTU

DAY 2

Water samples were tested to check the presence of coliform bacteria after 24 hours. Later the water was tested with a UV lamp to check the presence of E-COLI, a special kind of coliform bacteria. The water from the Arabian Sea tested +ve for E-coli as it glowed due to the UV lamp.Red cabbage solution was used as a PH level indicator. A sample of the purplish solution was added to baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), which turned to greenish blue
Another sample of extract added to a little vinegar (Acetic Acid), which turned to red.PH Meter: It is digital electronic device used to measure H+ ion concentration in a solution.

The solution is acidic if the Ph value is less than7 and the solution is Basic if the Ph value is more than 7. The solution is called Neutral if the Ph value is 7.We were taught the basics of MICROWORLD, which is a computer program in which animation can be done. Participants were involved in picture animation throughout the day and it was enjoyed by one and all.

DAY 3

Chemical tests on water samples were conducted to see the content of effluents like iron, zinc, chromium, fluorine and arsenic. It was found that the iron content was .15 ppm, the fluorine content was .8 ppm, and arsenic was .05 ppm. Although the water looked very dirty, the various chemical tests showed that it was not polluted due to chemical effluents and all the metal levels were normal and reasonably safe.
We were shown the working of the GOGO board and its various parts and function. The way it responded to the changes in the sensors after being programmed on CRICKETLOGO was very interesting.
After lunch we left for a movie at Imax. The movie was called SPACE STATION and was show in the Dome
Theatre. It was a good movie, which described the construction of the INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION and its
functioning in outer space.

DAY 4

There was more GOGOBOARD experimentation and more fun on the penultimate day of the beginning of the SEED science project. We worked on our projects and presentations throughout the day. We were told something useful about UV, IR, cosmic rays etc and fluorescence and phosphorescence and their exact difference. Some of us worked on the electronics while some others on MICRWORLD.
The day was capped off with a wonderful dinner at the ITC Grand Maratha Hotel at SAHAR. The food was excellent and we had great fun during the dance session.