Mr. Tildon Chavers and Mr. Roger Malone have developed and are currently testing an integrated unit of study for the Chemistry and Marine Biology classes at Pace High School. The students will be studying the Water Quality of Santa Rosa County.

The students in both teachers' classes will collect water samples throughout Santa Rosa County. Several samples will be collected over time at each site. Each sample taken will be identified by date and by location using the Global Positioning System (GPS). The Chemistry classes will be analyzing the samples for nitrate, phosphates and ammonia concentrations and the Marine Biology classes will be studying the dissolved oxygen levels (BOD), temperature, and salinity of the water samples as well as several biological factors.

After the students have collected and analyzed the data from the research sites data will be posted to spread sheets and the classes will collaboratively analyze the data results and attempt to link these results with possible sources that contribute to the nutrient load and identify causes for changes in these and other environmental factors. The students will conduct a symposium to present their data at the conclusion of their research project.

Block scheduling at the school provides the necessary time for students to complete the various tests and analyses. When schedules are changed in the spring semester, the project will continue with the new classes who will build on the data collected by the classes during the fall semester.