Clean Water Challenge (CWC)
for Science Olympiad
What is Science Olympiad?
Science Olympiad is a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state and national tournaments.
Science Olympiad tournaments are academic competitions that consist of a series of individual and team events which students prepare for during the school year. These competitions are balanced among the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology. Learn more about Science Olympiad at http://soinc.org.
What is Clean Water Challenge?
Clean Water Challenge is one a new trial event for Science Olympiad in 2008. It is designed to increase students' understanding of drinking water concepts. It provides hands-on, inquiry-based education to students who participate in Science Olympiad tournaments.
Prior to the tournament, students learn about drinking water and practice building model filters. During the competition, students design and build a water filter to improve the quality of the sample provided. Students also take a written tests covering their knowledge of drinking water basics and vocabulary.
2008 Competitions & Theme
Clean Water Challenge (CWC) is a Division B and C trial event for the 2008 Nebraska State Science Olympiad Tournament. In addition, Clean Water Challenge will be offered at selected State and Regional competitions; contact your state director for details.
The theme to study in 2008 is TURBIDITY - 1. thick or opaque with or as if with roiled sediment <a turbid stream>, 2. deficient in clarity or purity: muddy, cloudy, foggy.
The Clean Water Challenge event is written and monitored by The Groundwater Foundation with support from the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the
US Geological Survey.
Ready, Set, Compete!
Getting Started
- Download Competition Rules
- Download Sample Score Sheet
- Download Sample Quiz
- Survey for Students: Tell us what you think about CWC
Additional Information for Students, Coaches & Judges
- CWC: Turbidity Event Guide
The Best Resources Around
- Chemical and Pathogenic Contaminant Exposure by Drinking Water
http://health.usgs.gov/dw_contaminants/ - USGS Drinking Water Initiative
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/FS-047-97/ - Ground Water
http://capp.water.usgs.gov/GIP/gw_gip/ - Quality of Ground Water
http://capp.water.usgs.gov/GIP/gw_gip/quality.html - National Field Manual, 6.7 TURBIDITY
http://water.usgs.gov/owq/FieldManual/Chapter6/6.7_contents.html - Common Water Measurements
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/characteristics.html - Suspended-Sediment Database: Daily Values of Suspended Sediment and Ancillary Data
http://co.water.usgs.gov/sediment/ - USGS Improves Turbidity Reporting Procedures
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=302 - Proceedings of the Federal Interagency Workshop on Turbidity and other Sediment Surrogates
http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2003/circ1250/ - Importance of Turbidity
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/mdbp/pdf/turbidity/chap_07.pdf - Turbidity
http://www.epa.gov/volunteer/stream/vms55.html - Drinking Water Contaminants
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html - Drinking Water Standards
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/standards.html
