This workshop is by application only. Click here to apply.
What happens when the “Big One” hits the Pacific Northwest? How do we get clean, safe water for our daily needs when water systems may be down for weeks? This scenario motivates a design activity to design and build a personal water purifier. The module starts with an introduction of the LifeStraw, an inspirational invention created to reduce misery and save lives in locations where fresh potable water is not available, and launches students into an inquiry phase to learn about common environmental contaminants and the purification properties of common materials. This data is then used by student teams to design their own “personal water purifiers” that can remove various types of pollution, from particulates and protozoans to acids. The module combines core ideas in life science and chemistry to integrate science with engineering design and invention let students solve a problem of high relevance to our region.
This workshop is sponsored by the PSU College of Engineering/MESA and the Lemelson Foundation. Participating teachers will receive a set of integrated curriculum materials (slides, worksheets, resources) and a full set of matching classroom supplies to support teaching the module, and an opportunity to join a cohort of supportive colleagues.
Presenters are Mihir Ravel, Cary Sneider and Jennifer Wells, research faculty at Portland State University.
3 Professional Development Units to be provided upon completion.
This event is open to everyone, OSTA Member or not.
However, we respectfully request that if you are, or have been, an OSTA member, that you log in to the website before registering for this event.
If you have forgotten your password, just select "forgot password" after entering your e-mail address* and a temporary one will be provided.
*You will need to use the e-mail address that is associated with your membership if you use more than one e-mail address.
To pay using a credit or debit card:
Complete the online registration. Click the "Pay online" button. This will take you to PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account, just check out as a guest.
Paying by check?
Complete the online registration and click on the "invoice me button." Print the invoice that will be e-mailed to you. Make your check payable to OSTA. Mail the printed invoice with your check to the Conference Registrar at the following address:
OSTA Registrar
4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd, #1025
Portland, OR 97214-5246
Will your district be paying?
- Each individual completes the online registration and clicks on the "invoice me" button.
- Print the invoice that will be emailed.
- Submit the invoice(s) to your district for payment
To districts sending teachers or groups of teachers:
- Gather all invoices from individual registrants.
- Include with your payment each registrant name along with their invoice number.
- Send your payment to OSTA Registrar at the address above.
If you have any questions please contact OSTA's Registrar at registrar@oregonscience.org.
Refund/Cancellation Policy: Refund requests must be in writing and must be postmarked/timestamped 10 days before the event. Registration cancellations are subject to a $20 processing fee. Send any requests to the registrar at registrar@oregonscience.org, or to the address above.
