Previous Science Projects

AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE ASSOCIATION
GULF COAST SECTION AWARD

"Killer Copiers" by Elvia Garcia
Academy of Science and Technology
Conroe, Texas
High School Instructor: Larry Walker

In Conroe, Texas, three years ago (1993) a science teacher was discussing an assignment with a fifteen year old student - Elvira Garcia. I'm told the conversation was confrontational. The student was not interested in doing an ozone study using the Eco Badge®. She had visions of wearing a lab coat, mixing chemicals, and doing "real chemistry". The teacher, a global lab member (Terc), knew the horizons the Eco Badge® could open for his student. So while he insisted that she use the "Badge", he set no limitations on its use. The study would be her choice.

Elvira had heard complaints about respiratory symptons (coughing, dry throats, chest pain etc.) from employees in the superintendent's office. She knew that copy machines, and laser printeres could create harmful ozone air pollution. This, she surmised, was the culprit.

Now, with her hypothesis, all she needed was a design protocol for her project. She contacted a nearby school, and received permission to use the principals office as her comparison office.

Weeks later she had compiled data comparing the two offices. She wrote a ten page report - five pages of narrative, and five pages of data. Her conclusion, the office where the staff had complained of respiratory problems, had poor ventilation and a copy machine that was long overdue for servicing. She entered her science project and won first prize in a regional contest sponsored by the American Industrial Hygiene Association. One year later, I received a call from Elvira.

"Mr. Short, I would like to order some Eco Badge® refill packs. What do they cost?" "Elvira" what do you need them for?" I replied, knowing how she had fought the assignment her teacher had given her a year earlier. "I want to do a study of six Kinkos Copy centers here." The Eco Badge had done its job. Now the young student had not only learned the steps involved in scientific research and about an important health issue, she was becoming an activist.

Good going Elvira!