SEARCH PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
PROGRAMS
 
Research-Based Online Learning Event (ROLE) Model Webinar
Webinar Topic: Persistent Organic Pollutants
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
PRESENTATIONS and Q&A
Penny Vlahos
Penny Vlahos
Concept map
Sue Klemmer
Sue Klemmer
Concept map

About these Webinars:
The ROLE Model webinars provide scientists with the opportunity to interact with educators and present their research in a non-traditional format - through multimedia concept maps created with the Concept Map Builder and presented through the Ocean Climate Interactive. [more]

About this Scientist:
Dr. Penny Vlahos is an assistant professor at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Vlahos has a background in chemical engineering and chemical oceanography, and has been researching the geochemistry of carbon. She is particularly interested in the global carbon cycle, which affects the biosphere, climate, and the cycling of other elements. Her group's current projects include investigating the fluxes of organic compounds (including both natural and man-made) in air and marine waters, the development of in situ chemical sensors and improving our understanding of how carbon cycles on our planet. [more]

About this Educator:
Sue Klemmer is a high school chemistry teacher at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport, ME. She participated in the COSEE-OS Educator-Scientist Climate Change Workshop at the Darling Marine Center in November of 2008, as well as the Teaching Sciences by Ocean Inquiry course offered by the University of Maine. [more]
WEBINAR RECAP
Global concentrations of FTOHs and PFASs
Scientist Penny Vlahos walked participants through a concept map about the chemistry and persistence of certain toxic compounds as they travel around the globe. Chemicals once thought to be inert have been discovered to be toxic or have toxic byproducts, and there is a lot of research going into how these chemicals make their way around the Earth - including through attaching to aerosols. The consequences of these chemicals were also discussed, including potential for these chemicals to be mistaken in human and animal systems for hormones or other chemicals - causing a disruption to several systems. Her discussion included suggestions to educators on activities that could be used to teach about persistent organic pollutants or POPs, possible sources and consequences to humans and marine life from these man-made compounds.
VIEW CLIPS FROM SCIENTIST'S PRESENTATION
1 - Oil Spill   2 - Funnel Experiment   3 - Global Transport

Clip 1

Clip 2

Clip 3

Educator Sue Klemmer, high school teacher from Camden, ME was inspired to use concept mapping when she was taking a graduate course, and first read Learning How To Learn by Novak and Gowin. She gave a detailed overview of how she's been teaching her students to concept map for reading comprehension and shared some of the teaching strategies she uses with her students when they are learning to concept map. She mentioned that students learn better when they reflect on their learning (through metacognition) and several things that educators should keep in mind when trying the method with their students. Sue also shared the rubrics that she uses to evaluate student concept maps.
VIEW CLIPS FROM EDUCATOR'S PRESENTATION
1 - Identifying Misconceptions   2 - Benefits for Students
3 - Teaching the Process

Clip 1

Clip 2

Clip 3

Additional Resources
DISTRIBUTION OF WEBINAR PARTICIPANTS
Map showing distribution of webinar participants
Thirty three participants joined the webinar from twenty different states. Of the 13 participants who filled out the post webinar survey, 92% said the scientist presentation was "useful" or "very useful." 85% mentioned that they felt more comfortable with the topic than they had before, and 62% said that they now feel the topic of persistent organic pollutants is more relevant to their own work.

View All Webinars in the ROLE Model Series
Concept map