Criterion Gets the Youth Involved
Water Testing Company Offers Programs and Internships for Students
This article was originally published on July 28th, 2014 in the Kokomo Perspective.
by Alyx Arnett, Kokomo Perspective Features Reporter
There’s a lot to do when it comes to water, and Criterion Water Labs is proof.
The Inventrek tenant has proven to be an asset to the community. It became certified to offer nitrate and nitrite testing in 2011, making it the first local place to offer such a test, currently tests water of 23 area pools each week, and also offers bacteria testing–which came in handy during last year’s floods.
The company also deals heavily with the city’s wells–all 8,000 of them–and with all this knowledge on hand, owner Ann Ihms wanted to share it.
This past spring, Criterion hosted You Be the Chemist, a program that invited students in fourth through eighth grades to participate.
“It’s a national competition, and we’re really hoping to get more and more students involved,” she said.
Seven students participated last year, and all seven were invited to participate in the state challenge in Indianapolis this past March–two of whom walked away with prizes.
Northwestern Elementary School student Kaylynne Fernandes took home first place and a $100 gift card, and Northwestern Elementary School student Owen Myers was awarded second place and a $50 gift card.
“This is a great way to get more young people interested in science at an early age. That’s our goal,” she said. “It’s teaching them skills, how to understand techniques, the periodic table. Kids don’t get to sometimes explore science like they do sports, and I would like to see more kids getting involved in that type of competition. It makes it more of a goal setting.”
This fall, a parent/teacher workshop will be hosted for anyone interested in participating in the 2015 challenge.
Having the lab, Ihms said one of Criterion’s purposes is to be an educational resource.
“We’re a general resource on water problems, and that ties directly into what students need, which is hands-on learning,” she said.
Ihms also works with students doing science fair projects.
Currently an 11th grader is working on a Wildcat Creek study. Another student is doing a pool study, while yet another is doing a comparison of disinfectants.
In addition to working with area elementary and high school students, Criterion also has partnered with IU Kokomo, offering internships. So far, Criterion has provided internships to six students.
“More and more college students are becoming interested,” she said. “Students are recognizing that they need job experience and we offer that.”