Education

What are PFAS?

According to the EPA, Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals that have been used in various industrial and consumer products since the 1940s, due to their water- and oil-repellent properties. Found in a variety of household materials, including items such as non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and hygiene products, we interact with PFAS on a daily basis, allowing the chemicals to be absorbed into our bloodstream through ingestion through the mouth and nose. A common misconception is that PFAS are a type of microplastic, and while the two occasionally overlap, the two are not the same. However, while PFAS are much less widely known, their widespread use has led to their accumulation in the environment. They have been found in human bodies, obtaining the name “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to degradation. Recent studies have shown that most people in the U.S. have PFAS in their bloodstream, raising the concern of many professionals in the scientific research community. While there is not enough research to determine the level of them you must absorb to cause health problems, PFAS have already been linked to development issues, liver and kidney damage, immune system suppression, and an increased risk of certain cancers.

What are microplastics?

Microplastics are a lot more infamous, as public awareness about them has increased in recent years. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size. They can originate from synthetic fibers from clothing, the breakdown of larger plastic waste, or microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products. They are most commonly known to be found in the ocean or other sources of water, but because of their small size, they are also found in soil and even animal and human body systems. Microplastics in the human body can potentially lead to serious health issues, including various cancers, respiratory disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease.

3-week summer program

Our aim is to introduce eager middle school students to the concept of PFAS and microplastic pollution while teaching them the necessary chemistry knowledge to be able to analyze and interpret scientific information

Information:

The Water & Pollutions program is a unique month-long summer program that provides exciting learning experience as students dive into the impact of water which any living thing relies on, and develop an awareness of pollution that impacts humans, animals and plants. We’ll start from the study of streams in our neighborhood, potential pollutants and how what we do everyday 

Ages: Rising 5th – 8th graders 

Dates: Monday, July 7th – Friday July 25th, 2025

Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Requirement: Students must have Math skills with a minimum of Pre-Algebra (Algebra I preferred), able to write and present their work using Powerpoint, and have an established work habit of self-study. There will be weekly experiments in chemistry. A minimum of two outdoor trips will be expected.

Cost: $1850 total including food, supplies and trips.

Location: VINCI School Merrifield, 8408 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax, VA 22031

Curiculum:

Week 1: July 7 – July 11

Goal: Introduce students to chemistry and get them excited about environmental science/chemistry

Week 2: July 14 – July 18

Goal: Learn about the effect of pollutants and types of pollution; relate to chemistry

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Intro to Environmental Science: What is pollution?	Types of Pollution: Air, Water, Land	Importance of Water and Types of Water Pollution	Intro to microplastics and PFAS	Related Field Trip: Water testing local streams

Week 3: July 21 – July 25

Goal: Allow students to demonstrate what they have learned through a creative project/presentation

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Look at results of stream testing	Activity + work on presentation	Activity + work on presentation	Activity + work on presentation	Presenting day