31 sewer science scrapbook - la sanitation · sewer science is an inter-disciplinary microbiology,...

Sewer Science is an inter-disciplinary microbiology, chemistry, physics and environ-mental curriculum designed to stress the importance of pollution prevention in the City’s communities. The week-long program delivers the message of pollution preven-tion by taking a mobile lab unit into local middle school, high school and college science classrooms to simulate primary, secondary and advanced wastewater treatment processes. Students and teachers are provided with an opportunity to perform hands-on instrumental analysis, and are introduced to other scientific concepts as a way to directly link pollution prevention efforts with the City’s treatment of wastewa-ter. The primary goal of the program is to raise the communities’ awareness of the en-vironment and the consequences of pollution. The ultimate goal is to achieve cleaner wastewater and stormwater run-off, thereby reducing future capital and maintenance costs for City’s wastewater and stormwater treatment systems. The City of Los An-geles Sewer Science Program is administered by the Bureau of Sanitation, Industrial Waste Management Division (IWMD).

Acknowledgements The City is very grateful for these sponsors who do-nated valuable prizes for this year’s Sewer Science Competition, namely: Black & Veatch, Brown and Caldwell, CDM, CH2MHILL, LEXICON and HDR. The City also wishes to thank our outstanding panel of judges who worked tirelessly during our competi-tion. Also, many thanks to our outstanding teachers and mentors for making the 2010-2011 Sewer Science Program and 2011 Sewer Science Competition a huge success.

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward an individual common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

-Andrew Carnegie

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Sewer ScienceSewer Science

The original concept for the Sewer Science program began in 1997 with an enthusiastic science teacher from Palo Alto, California. The Sewer Science curriculum was created by a group of dedicated teachers and wastewater professionals from the City of Palo Alto’s Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP), San Jose State University, and Menlo-Atherton High School. The City’s Bureau of Sanitation adopted the program in 2003. Sewer Science is an inter-disciplinary microbiology, chemistry, physics and environmental curriculum designed to stress the importance of pollution prevention in the City’s communities. A primary goal of the program is to raise the communities’ awareness of the environment and the consequences of pollution. The ultimate goal is to achieve cleaner wastewater and stormwater run-off, thereby reducing future capital and maintenance costs for City’s wastewater and stormwater treatment systems. The week-long Sewer Science program (1 hour per day) delivers the message of pollution prevention by taking a mobile lab unit into local middle school, high school and college science classrooms to simulate primary, secondary and advanced wastewater treatment processes. Students and teachers are provided with an opportunity to perform hands-on instrumental analysis, and are introduced to other scientific concepts as a way to directly link pollution prevention efforts with the City’s treatment of wastewater. Tests are performed at every stage of the treatment process and results are graphed to visually show the effects of treatment. These results are compared to EPA standards to indicate even the simplest treatment system can have a great impact on wastewater. At the conclusion of the course, teachers and students are invited to tour a City of Los Angeles wastewater treatment facility.

Students are also encouraged to enter the Annual Sewer Science Technical Competition. Participating teams use recycled materials to build an engineering model of the City’s wastewater collection and treatment systems, and a panel of judges interview team members on the wastewater treatment principles and pollution prevention practices learned from the program.

In a nut shell

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2004

City of Los Angeles Quality and Productivity Commission recognized the Sewer Science Program, honoring the volunteers’ and mentors’ initiative, creativity, teamwork, cost containment efforts and entrepreneurial spirit in providing a high level of customer service to students and residents of the City of Los Angeles. The American Public Works Association (APWA) Southern California Chapter honored Sewer Science Program with the Project of the Year Award.

2005 The Los Angeles Council of Engineers and scientists (LACES) honored the Sewer Science Program with the Harry Staubs Award.

2007 The national Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) honored Sewer Science Teacher and Student Resource Videos with the national Environmental Achievement Award.

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4,018,000 people reside in Los Angeles

16,287 students participated in Sewer Science classes in Los Angeles since 2003 There are 148 secondary schools in Los Angeles Unified School District

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The award-winning annual WEFTeach is a full-day train-the-trainer teacher’s workshop. During WEF’s annual conference held on October 13 and 14, 2003 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, representatives from the City of Palo Alto and South Bay System Authority conducted the training for staff from City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD), and Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The program continues to be implemented across the nation and is introduced to new cities through the WEFTeach program every year. Since 2003, this training program has received rave reviews from educators from the cities where it is being offered — Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Orlando, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Washington D.C.

WEFWEFTeach ‘03Teach ‘03

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20032003 20032003--20042004

Front row (left to right): Cecile Buncio, Rosalina Chuatoco, Jash Patel, Mina Azarnia, Precious Metcalf, Kevin Fossett, Antranik Saiyan, Loudmilla Vertanessian, Roshan Aflaki, Ernesto Manalo, Elvin Yeck, Ronald Mayuyu and Martin Ruiz Back row (left to right): Jennifer Kong, Luis Durruty, Michael Simpson, Marek Arlukiewicz, Mike McClellan, Rene Ramirez and Majid Sadeghi Not in picture: Alina Constantinescu, Anson Pua, Fariba Fahami, Ing Jones, Jocelyn Carrillo, John Manalo, Mary Franke, Mohamed Krayem, Nick Tolentino, Nida Abad, Olga Krel, Pamela Bond, Ron Milo and Subodh Kumar

TeamworkTeamwork A group of inspired mentors helped launch our program. They demonstrated excellent attitude, dedication and teamwork skills while providing exceptional public service to the citizens of the City of Los Angeles.

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Mentors in actionMentors in action “During this week I have learned a lot about water pollution”. Ibrahim - Granada Hills HS

“This has been a fun experience. I liked the experience because it’s very hands on”. Daniella - Granada Hills HS

“Thank you so much… You helped us enhance our curriculum and for the five contestants, they are still grinning ear to ear”. Lori Dver, Principal Chatsworth Hills Academy

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Sewer ScienceSewer Science Sewer ScienceSewer Science

20032003 20032003--20042004 20032003--20042004

Sewer Science has been taught at different school with a variety of e d u c a t i o n a l backgrounds. “This is the most r e w a r d i n g experience,” said one of the mentors, “I am teaching and at the same time I am inspired by their creativity.”

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First Annual Sewer Science First Annual Sewer Science Technical CompetitionTechnical Competition

The Bureau of Sanitation’s Industrial Waste Management Division made history on May 6, 2004 when they held the first of what will be an annual technical competition. Using recycled materials, students created a schematic model of the City’s Wastewater Drainage and Conveyance System and brought it to the contest for review. The panel of three judges, including Joseph Russo from Baxter Health Care, then interviewed each team concerning principles learned in the sewer science program.

“This program will help students appreciate our enormously precious natural resource, water. I hope this program will continue to bring awareness to young people like myself. After all, the future rests in our hands… Please continue to bring excellent programs such as the Sewer Science Project to our school”. Adriana Delgado–Dorsey HS

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20032003 20032003--20042004

First Place Winners !!First Place Winners !!

Dorsey High School students display their trophies and certificates with their teacher, BOS mentors, Bureau Director Rita Robinson and Commissioner Cynthia Ruiz.

Dorsey High’s winning model of the City’s Wastewater Drainage and Conveyance System.

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“Thanks a lot for the presentation and lecture and for that Sewer Science Program. My students benefited a lot, had a hands-on experience and actually saw the different equipment and laboratory material used. That was very helpful for their learning. We hope we will have your group again next year”. Ms. Sarmiento- Hollywood HS

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20042004--20052005

Neighborhood Outreach Neighborhood Outreach

Ching Loong conducting Sewer Science outreach at a Sanitation Yard.

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20042004--20052005

2nd Technical Competition 2nd Technical Competition

Dorsey High did it again! They are back to back champions holding the first place title.

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20042004--20052005

North Hollywood High School is our second place winner.

“Thank you for teaching us about sewage water treatment. It was very interesting!” -Lina Kae

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20042004--20052005

City of Los Angeles Quality and Productivity Commission recognized the Sewer Science Program, honoring the volunteers’ and mentors’ initiative, creativity, teamwork, cost containment efforts and entrepreneurial spirit in providing a high level of customer service to students and residents of the City of Los Angeles.

The American Public Works Association (APWA) Southern California Chapter honored Sewer Science Program with the 2004 Project of the Year Award.

AwardsAwards

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20042004--20052005

Left to right: Subodh Kumar, Sam Alavi, Olga Krel, Ronald Mayuyu, Technical Competition judge Lizzette Villegas (MWH), Michael Simpson, Director Rita Robinson, Loudmilla Vertanessian, Jennifer Kong, Rene Ramirez, and Alina Constantinescu. Mentors not in picture: Ahmad Ghanem, Betty Dong, Cecile Dominquez, Christine Lai, Debbie Pham, Erick Escobar, Ernesto Manalo, Girmachew Ayele, Hyginus Mmeje, Jash Patel, John Manalo, Lope Geronilla, Luis Durruty, Martin Ruiz, Mary Franke, Mina Azarnia, Nida Abad, Pacifica Sagun, Parvathi Donthineni, Patricia Cruz, Precious Metcalf, Reina Pereira, and Sang Sim.

Teamwork Teamwork

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20042004--20052005


M e n t o r A l i n a Constantinescu at the first exhibition of S c i e n c e a n d Technology Awareness Day on March 26, 2005 at EPICC Center.

Science and Technology Science and Technology Awareness Day Awareness Day

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The Los Angeles African American Engineers and Professional Employees Association (AAEPEA) organized and sponsored two Family Science and Technology Awareness Events at the Exposition Park Intergenerational Community Center (EPICC) in South Los Angeles. The first took place on March 26, 2005 and the second occurred on October 22, 2005. These events together have reached over 200 kids and their families. The Science and Technology Awareness Days, emphasizing Engineering and Science, were sponsored to encourage and inspire young underrepresented students in South L.A. to pursue a math and science education. Also the Technology outreach went a long way in demystifying what an Engineer or Scientist is engaged in for employment. The Sewer Science Program was there to allow the students another aspect of work in the science field, and also to encourage them to have awareness of their city and their own waste water system. The program helps the students to understand their personal impact on the city’s sewer system, what they can do to help it, and many future careers that they could become involved in.

Mentor Ronald Mayuyu and Girmachew Ayele at the 2nd Science and Technology Awareness Day.

– Photo Credit, Richard E. Lee, Department of Public Works Public Affairs Office.

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20032003 20052005--20062006


Loudmilla Vertanessian coaches the teachers at WEFTeach (Washington, D.C.) on how to run the Sewer Science Program.

Jennifer Kong demonstrates how the chemical tests should be done.

WEFTeach participant doing hands-on activities during a training session.

WEFTeach ‘05WEFTeach ‘05

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Pacoima Beautiful Summer ProgramPacoima Beautiful Summer Program

Students enrolled in the summer program in Pacoima received a spec i a l s ummer session of Sewer Science.

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20032003 20052005--20062006


The Los Angeles Council of Engineers and Scientist (LACES) honored the Sewer Science Program with the 2005 Harry Staubs Memorial Award for Community Service.

2005 Harry Staubs Award2005 Harry Staubs Award

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20032003 20052005--20062006

The successful implementation of the Sewer Science program for the 2005-2006 school year was due to the efforts of the following program mentors: Ahmad Ghanem, Alina Constantinescu, Betty Dong, Cecile Dominguez, Christine Lai, Debbie Pham, Erick Escobar, Ernesto Manalo, Girmachew Ayele, Jennifer Kong, Kelvin Fossett, Lope Geronilla, Luis Durruty, Martin Ruiz, Mina Esmat Azarinia, Ming Kim, Pacifica Sagun, Parvathi Donthineni, Precious Metcalf, Reina Pereira, Rene Ramirez, Ronald Mayuyu, Ron Milo, Mosalina Chuatoco.

20052005--2006 Mentors2006 Mentors

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A great program sells itself. Interest for the Sewer Science Program grew tremendously. To effectively accommodate the increased demand for the program, and to help other public agencies and schools interested in developing or adopting a similar educational program, the City of Los Angeles developed a set of videos to assist the teachers and to educate the students. The video program provides increased learning experience through visualization of the treatment processes, testing procedures, and careers in the wastewater treatment industry. The wastewater treatment plant is brought in to a classroom environment, making learning more enjoyable and understandable for youths. It is also close-captioned to tailor to audiences with hearing deficiencies. The Teacher’s Resource Video complements the instructions provided by the Sewer Science Resource Manual and guides the teachers and mentors on how to prepare and present the Sewer Science Education Program. The Student’s Resource Video shows and explains in detail the operations of wastewater treatment processes. This video also shows the effects of household and industrial chemicals on the biological population in the secondary treatment process. Finally, this video introduces the audience to the various career opportunities available in the wastewater treatment industry.

Lights, Camera, Action!Lights, Camera, Action!

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Sr. Photographer Kevin Snavely of the Bureau taking a video of students during one of the classes.

The goals of the Sewer Science Resource Video Program are: �� Increase the public’s environmental awareness by discussing wastewater

treatment and water pollution prevention and control. �� Launch a self-sustainable grass-roots approach to deliver messages of pollution

prevention and environmental protection. The objectives are:

�� Facilitate the learning process through visual information (videos) of actual treatment processes and living microorganisms necessary in treating wastewater. The videos transpose the students from passive observers to active thinkers.

�� Visualize the steps of testing procedures and safety protocols. �� Emphasize safe alternative cleaning methods and environmental-friendly disposal

habits. �� Equip the educators with sufficient resources to independently deliver the Sewer

Science Education Program.

Cut!Cut!

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Sr. Photographer Kevin Snavely preparing to get more footage for the Resource Video.

20062006--20072007


We did it again!! The Bureau’s efforts to be a leader in environmental awareness and education have once again been nationally recognized – this time by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). NACWA awarded the Bureau’s “Sewer Science Resource Video Program” as the winner of the 2007 National Environmental Achievement Award in Publ ic Information and Education category. The Sewer Science Resource Video Program is a two video set developed and produced through the collaborative efforts of IWMD and HRDD staff. The two video set is comprised of Teacher’s Version and Student’s Version. The Teacher’s Version acts as a resource and guide to educators and mentors who would want to teach the Sewer Science Program. The Student’s Version helps to broaden the students’ knowledge of environmental pollution and its prevention and control, through the teaching of the importance of wastewater treatment systems. The Sewer Science Videos are an extraordinary resource for our school district, other public agencies and teachers nation-wide. Cities such as Redwood, Palo Alto, Washington, D.C., and Dallas have adopted the Sewer Science Educational Program and have benefited from the use of these videos.

NACWA AwardNACWA Award


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The video program helps the students to learn interactively, become active thinkers on issues relating to wastewater pollution and environmental protection, and be more aware of their r e spon s i b i l i t y t o p r a c t i c e p r o p e r disposal habits. During the annual meeting and awards ceremony on July 18, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio, the National Association of Clean W a t e r A g e n c i e s (NACWA) awarded the City of Los Angeles’ Bureau of Sanitation the prestigious national award.

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20062006--20072007


Sewer Science gets Corporate SponsorsSewer Science gets Corporate Sponsors The consulting firms, with logos shown here, sponsored the prizes for the winning teams at the Sewer Science Competition on June 5th, 2007. The prizes included laptops, digital cameras and mp3 players for first, second and third places respectively. The consultants also served as judges for the contest.

Thank You So Much!!

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20062006--20072007

20062006--2007 Mentors2007 Mentors

Back Row:(Left to Right) Dariush Vosooghi, Aaron Ostergaard, Brandie Rucker, Michael Simpson, Alina Constantinescu, Ronald Mayuyu Front Row: (Left to Right) Luis Durruty, David Shin, Timeyin Dafeta, Commissioner Paula Daniels, Asst. Director Traci Minamide, Loudmilla Vertanessian, Jash Patel, Jocelyn Carrillo, Jennifer Kong, Leo Ingalla Not Pictured: Andy Koh, Art Richardson, Ernesto Manalo, Francisco Castro, Girmachew Ayele, Martin Ruiz, Miguel Rodas, Richard John Hipolito, Theodore Higgins

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20062006--20072007


Sewer Science Competition EntriesSewer Science Competition Entries

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20062006--20072007


Sewer Science Competition WinnersSewer Science Competition Winners

1st place Model and Technical Report winning entry teams pictured from Dorsey High School.

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2nd and 3rd place contest winning entry teams from Manual Arts High School.

3rd place contest winning entry team members pictured from North Hollywood High School.

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20062006--20072007 20062006--20072007


Exteme Education Expo 2006Exteme Education Expo 2006

Alina Constantinescu attended the educational exposition at Cal State Northridge to promote Sewer Science Program to the local teachers and students.

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Jennifer Kong requests the brave souls to volunteer mixing in wastewater ingredients.

Norm Dominquez from SBSA is demonstrating to the teachers hands-on training on how to teach the program.

Everyone tes t ing the i r own “wastewater” as part of the hands-on experience.

WEFteach ‘06 in DallasWEFteach ‘06 in Dallas

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20062006--20072007


City’s Board of Public Works presented Certificate of Commendation to the mentors on September 28, 2007 for their exemplary performance and support in the Sewer Science Program. Mentors were photographed with the Board Commissioners, corporate sponsors and high school teachers.

Ms. Edna Sarmiento from North Hollywood High School, Ms. Wilethea Brown from Dorsey High School and Mr. Eric Wheeler from Manual Arts High School showed their support for the program.

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20062006--20072007 20062006--20072007

Mentors celebrated the success of another great year!

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Sewer Science Model Contest Judging

Judges, mentors, staff and guests posing in front of the winning models at the end of the competition.

20072007--2008 Sewer Science Competition2008 Sewer Science Competition

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Board of Public WorksBoard of Public Works High School Internship Sewer Science TrainingHigh School Internship Sewer Science Training

Luis Durruty conducting Sewer Science Program at Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant

This year a special “contracted” presentation of the Sewer Science Program was conducted at the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant as part of the Board of Public Works High School Internship program. Students received highlights of the program and were then given a plant tour to show the Wastewater treatment processes in action.

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20072007--20082008


For the past four years the Sewer Science Program has been presented at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College. Luis Durruty, Public Works engineer presented Sewer Science to the new Process Technology class. In addition to Los Angeles Trade Technology College , Sewer Science was also presented to the students of Otis College of Art and Design. Here, Luis Durruty is showing how to properly pipette a wastewater sample and how to prepare a slide to check for microorganisms using a microscope.

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These students are testing the water sample to see if it meets the EPA discharge limits for ammonia concentration.

The students at Los Angeles Trade Technical College are performing the various laboratory tests in the Sewer Science Program. Here, these students are determining if the water meets the EPA discharge limit for turbidity.

Finally, these students are testing the pH of the water sample to determine if our water has met EPA discharge limits.

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20082008--20092009


Once again the Sewer Science Program hosted a special training event for the Board of Public Works Internship Program Participants at the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant.

Thomas Wyatt, P u b l i c W o r k s engineer attending the City of Los Angeles’s 2008 E n v i r o n m e n t a l Youth Conference at the Staples Center to promote the Sewer Science Program to local students.

2008 Environmental Youth Conference2008 Environmental Youth Conference

Board of Public Works Board of Public Works High School Internship Sewer Science TrainingHigh School Internship Sewer Science Training

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Bernard HarrisBernard Harris Summer Science CampSummer Science Camp

The Sewer Science Program partnered with the Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp at USC to present the award winning program to 7th through 9th grade students, from the Los Angeles area.

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20082008--20092009


Sewer Science Model Competition Sewer Science Model Competition WinnersWinners

3rd place Model contest winning entry team members from Benjamin Franklin High School.

1st place Model contest winning entry team members from Benjamin Franklin High School.

2nd place Model contest winning entry team members from Benjamin Franklin High School.

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Winning Sewer Science VideoWinning Sewer Science Video Competition EntriesCompetition Entries

2nd place Video contest entry winner; Los Angeles Water Shortage of 2050, from Benjamin Franklin High School.

3rd place Video contest entry winner; Pass it Along, from Benjamin Franklin High School.

1st place Video contest entry winner; Pick it Up, from Benjamin Franklin High School.

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20092009--20102010


Sewer Science Model Competition Sewer Science Model Competition WinnersWinners

3rd place Model contest winning entry team members from Benjamin Franklin High School.

1st place Model contest winning entry team members from Benjamin Franklin High School.

2nd place Model contest winning entry team members from Benjamin Franklin High School.

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20102010--20112011

Winning Sewer Science VideoWinning Sewer Science Video Competition EntriesCompetition Entries

2nd place Video contest entry winner; Water Pollution Prevention: Earth is not our Personal Trash Can, from Benjamin Franklin High School.

3rd place Video contest entry winner; Waste Water Treatment, from Environmental Science and Technology High School.

1st place Video contest entry winner; Open Your Eyes, from Benjamin Franklin High School.

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20102010--20112011

31 sewer science scrapbook - la sanitation · sewer science is an inter-disciplinary microbiology,...

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