Public perceptions of drinking water: A postal survey of residents with private water supplies

Background: In Canada, the legal responsibility for the condition of private water supplies, including private wells and cisterns, rests with their owners. However, there are reports that Canadians test these water supplies intermittently and that treatment of such water is uncommon. An estimated 45% of all waterborne outbreaks in Canada involve non-municipal systems. An understanding of the perceptions and needs of Canadians served by private water supplies is essential, as it would enable public health professionals to better target public education and drinking water policy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the public perceptions of private water supplies in the City of Hamilton, Ontario (Canada), with the intent of informing public education and outreach strategies within the population. Methods: A cross-sectional postal survey of 246 residences with private water supplies was conducted in May 2004. Questions pertained to the perceptions of water quality and alternative water sources, water testing behaviours and the self-identified need for further information. Results: Private wells, cisterns or both, were the source of household water for 71%, 16% and 13% of respondents, respectively. Although respondents rated their water quality highly, 80% also had concerns with its safety. The most common concerns pertained to bacterial and chemical contamination of their water supply and its potential negative effect on health. Approximately 56% and 61% of respondents used in-home treatment devices and bottled water within their homes, respectively, mainly due to perceived improvements in the safety and aesthetic qualities compared to regular tap water. Testing of private water supplies was performed infrequently: 8% of respondents tested at a frequency that meets current provincial guidelines. Two-thirds of respondents wanted more information on various topics related to private water supplies. Flyers and newspapers were the two media reported most likely to be used. Conclusion: Although respondents rated their water quality highly, the majority had concerns regarding the water from their private supply, and the use of bottled water and water treatment devices was extensive. The results of this study suggest important lines of inquiry and provide support and input for public education programs, particularly those related to private water testing, in this population

Slithering Into Summer: Ideas for introducing your students to herpetology.

The article discusses how elementary school students can learn about herpetology during the summer through educational programs. Activities included studying cover boards, aquatic turtle traps and vernal pools. The author provides factors for teachers to consider when exploring summer programs, such as program structure, safety and student interest

Living well with dementia: An exploratory matched analysis of minority ethnic and white people with dementia and carers participating in the IDEAL programme

Objectives: The increasing heterogeneity of the population of older people is reflected in an increasing number of people with dementia and carers drawn from minority ethnic groups. Data from the IDEAL study are used to compare indices of ‘living well’ among people with dementia and carers from ethnic minority groups with matched white peers. Methods: We used an exploratory cross-sectional case-control design to compare ‘living well’ for people with dementia and carers from minority ethnic and white groups. Measures for both groups were quality of life, life satisfaction, wellbeing, loneliness, and social isolation and, for carers, stress, relationship quality, role captivity and caring competence. Results: The sample of people with dementia consisted of 20 minority ethnic and 60 white participants and for carers 15 and 45 respectively. People with dementia from minority ethnic groups had poorer quality of life (−4.74, 95% CI: −7.98 to −1.50) and higher loneliness (1.72, 95% CI: 0.78–2.66) whilst minority ethnic carers had higher stress (8.17, 95% CI: 1.72–14.63) and role captivity (2.00, 95% CI: 0.43–3.57) and lower relationship quality (−9.86, 95% CI: −14.24 to −5.48) than their white peers. Conclusion: Our exploratory study suggests that people with dementia from minority ethnic groups experience lower quality of life and carers experience higher stress and role captivity and lower relationship quality than their white peers. Confirmatory research with larger samples is required to facilitate analysis of the experiences of specific minority ethnic groups and examine the factors contributing to these disadvantages

Fossil Finds

It is easy to tell students that a fossil is "any remains of plant or animal life of some previous geologic period."' But do they really know what that means? When I ask middle school students to apply their knowledge of the term fossil by choosing one from a box of assorted rocks, petrified wood, seashells, and other items (both fossils and nonfossils), many students have no rationale to support their choice. Some students will recognize and select a piece of petrified wood, yet when asked to describe it, they reply that they are not sure if it is a fossil or not. Others will choose a seashell, but again, they are unsure whether a seashell can be a fossil. Some students will choose a rock and explain that all rocks are fossils

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's a. . . Stereogram!

They are popping up everywhere—in books, in the newspaper, on greeting cards, and as poster-size prints—colorful pieces of artwork that contain hidden three-dimensional images. These pictures, commonly known as hidden-image stereograms, are certainly all the rage at the local mall. Kiosks selling prints are constantly surrounded by people staring at the images, trying to discover the three-dimensional secret

Naturalist Writers and Environmental Sentiments

Naturalist writers provide a myriad of potential learning experiences, from extolling the virtues of uninhibited inquiry to developing an appreciation for observation skills. Simultaneously, the works of naturalist writers offer students the opportunity to explore the nuances of other landscapes and cultures, as well as their own. Incorporating naturalist writers into your curriculum offers a refreshing opportunity for instruction that is substantive and relevant to a number of broad, interdisciplinary themes. This is critical for middle school students who strive to make a connection between their lives inside and outside of school

Pocket science

Although changes are constantly occurring in the world of science, [ouch of what we are asked to teach in middle-level science is tried and true. We tend to work with a variety of packaged products like Chemical Education for Public Understanding Program (CEPUP) kits or Activities integrating Math and Science ( AIMS) activities. Usually these packages well-thought-out lessons that demonstrate specific concepts. I believe, though, that we do a disservice to our students when we spend so much of our time in a prepackaged world and do not give children the opportunity to experience the amazing science of everyday objects

Adaptive Teaching in STEM: Characteristics for Effectiveness

This article defines the process of adaptive teaching in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). We assert that teachers who possess a well-developed STEM pedagogical content knowledge, a constructivist paradigm of teaching and learning, and an ability to draw on a vision while reflecting on and during teaching to help negotiate challenges are well positioned to engage in the process of adaptive teaching. This article acknowledges the valuable knowledge, skills, and dispositions that novice teachers bring with them as they enter the workforce. To illustrate the process of adaptive teaching in STEM, we use an in-depth case study of a novice teacher. Our conclusion offers a discussion of how teacher educators and those who provide professional development services during induction can best support teachers in their development of becoming adaptive, and therefore, effective

Conservation and education: prominent themes in zoo mission statements

In this study, the authors examine the mission statements of 136 zoos in the United States that the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) has accredited, and report on the predominant themes of education and conservation in the statements. To explore the relation between these two themes, the authors present a literature review of the roles and purposes of zoos and discuss how the literature compares with the roles and purposes of zoos as found in the zoo mission statements. They conclude that with more than 134 million visitors a year, zoos are in a unique position to provide environmental education and conservation education to large numbers of people