At the recent 21st World Scout Jamboree, held in Chelmsford, Scouts from around the world gathered to celebrate the Centenary of Scouting.  Along with 40,000 attendees, an ‘Elements Zone’ had been set up for the Scouts to learn about and participate in scientific activities concerning water, air, fire and earth.

For the water section, Palintest was pleased – as the leading UK manufacturer of water quality test kits – to supply a number of them for the event.  These were used by the Scouts to test for various elements and qualities in samples of local water, encouraging a developed awareness of water’s vital place in the environment.  The participants used some of the company’s handy pocket kits to test for the presence and levels of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates and alkalinity.  Hand-held sensors, dissolved oxygen meters and turbidity tubes were also provided for the Scouts to measure pH, conductivity, oxygenation and turbidity levels. 

Whilst being taught how to conduct the tests, they learned about the environmental effects of the results they found: for example how nitrates and phosphates are often associated with agricultural run-off, and can cause algal blooms and the eutrophication of water sources, or how turbidity affects the available light for photosynthesis by submerged plant life.  By using the less complex testing apparatus that Palintest produce, the students were better able to understand what they were measuring, how it worked and what the results meant.  And, of course, with things like turbidity tubes the potential for mess – and fun – was always going to be great!