This past week, I took a tour throughout our facility and learned about what the other people are doing. Sometimes we work next to people and don’t realize what the others are working on. I saw this beautiful globe and a lot of astronomy displays on the first floor, so I decided that I was going to bring my own kids to visit. So, today my girls and wife came to visit. They got a personal tour from a nice lady, Margaret, and they loved it. They also got to see where daddy has been working all summer. Honestly, what kid doesn’t like to learn about the stars! As I’m wrapping up, I am wrapping up my data and making sure it all makes sense. Pic 03 is also a place where I have been analyzing samples of water.

Electrometer

Measuring temperature and % humidity in the outside air.

Sometimes I help out in making measurements on other research projects.

Here I am making more calculations and more solution dilutions and running it through the spectrophotometer. As you can see, it changes color, indicating a change in the polymeric structure.

The highlight of my week was visiting the Scottsdale WWTP and learning the process of water treatment!

We also had a chance to drink the finished product, of course after we looked at the chart to compare it to bottled water! Then, of course I went back to my project to work on my project! The science involved in the treatment of water inspired me continue with my research.

Back in the lab!!

Busy week. After coffee, normally I go to my computer and check my emails and map out the rest of my day. Then I go into the lab and get to work.

Entrance to Lab

I don’t know how to rotate my pics, but if anyone knows how to do it, that would be great!

Then, I do my “nerdy” lab things.

Metal solution that will be used.

Before and after running my sample.

I do not know how to move my pics. 🙁 Any ideas?

Last week has been a week of calculations and trials with the spectrophotometer. I have been closely looking at structures of polymers and monomers and analyzing their behavior in the presence of different forms of light (UV and Vis).

My handy dandy indispensable mini-notebook!

Hello everyone. Hope everyone is doing well. I have been hard at work learning and trying to keep up with the project Just thought I’d say hello and hopefully we are all doing well. Saludos!

– Gerardo

Hello everyone. Last week was an adventurous day trying to understand the BIG picture of the program. The field trip was an exciting opportunity to see the nanotechnology in use at the WTP in Sugarland, TX. I feel it is important for students to understand the importance of scientific principles applied to crucial functional community services like water treatment plants. However, getting kids hooked to science is always the first step, which is why I thoroughly enjoyed to learn a new activity with Christina that could easily be used at different grade levels.

It was a fun eye-open experience. I cannot stress enough the importance of showing the students what science looks like outside of the classroom. We also need to teach the importance of communicating the science behind the research in the most simplistic way to the general public (and all other stakeholders) and many times science projects do involve working in groups as a team on a single mission.

My name is Gerardo Lopez and I am coming to you from Arizona. I am excited to join this team of bright scholars that are passionate about science and engineering as I am. I would like to become the best and most innovative science teacher that I can be and provide my students with an environment where they can integrate engineering practices into their learning. My assigned research project will be “Photo responsive binding of toxic and high value metals”. I will be working at the campus of Arizona State University with Dr. Westerhoff, Chao Zeng, and Hersheern Rajput. As I dive into my research, I will be thinking of how I will be integrating this into my lesson plans to an appropriate level where my students can do something productive with their learning. In my professional life, I have met many wonderful and influential people throughout my career that have collectively mentored me to become the professional that I am today. Fresh out of college and beginning with my humorous manager, Ray, in my career as a food chemist, my colleagues when I worked as an environmental chemist, to my first assistant principal, Mr. Dickerson, and the friends I made working for an internationally recognized medical device company in different research projects, these individuals always believed in my skills and abilities to become the best at my profession. Again, I am excited to join colleagues throughout the country to help solve the global issue in regards to the lack of access to water for many underserved communities. That will be an exciting endeavor but of course, I will only do it if I begin my day with my first fresh brewed cup of coffee with sugar and sweet cream.My name is Gerardo Lopez and I am coming to you from Arizona. I am excited to join this team of bright scholars that are passionate about science and engineering as I am. I would like to become the best and most innovative science teacher that I can be and provide my students with an environment where they can integrate engineering practices into their learning. My assigned research project will be “Photo responsive binding of toxic and high value metals”. I will be working at the campus of Arizona State University with Dr. Westerhoff, Chao Zeng, and Hersheern Rajput. As I dive into my research, I will be thinking of how I will be integrating this into my lesson plans to an appropriate level where my students can do something productive with their learning. In my professional life, I have met many wonderful and influential people throughout my career that have collectively mentored me to become the professional that I am today. Fresh out of college and beginning with my humorous manager, Ray, in my career as a food chemist, my colleagues when I worked as an environmental chemist, to my first assistant principal, Mr. Dickerson, and the friends I made working for an internationally recognized medical device company in different research projects, these individuals always believed in my skills and abilities to become the best at my profession. Again, I am excited to join colleagues throughout the country to help solve the global issue in regards to the lack of access to water for many underserved communities. That will be an exciting endeavor but of course, I will only do it if I begin my day with my first fresh brewed cup of coffee with sugar and sweet cream.