Still Wondering…

You are on this page because:

•You are still wondering about something that caught your attention in a local newspaper, billboard, or transit sign.

•You have checked out the information on this site and want to know more.

Welcome!

Here’s a short quiz to test your Ever Wonder potential:

  1. Do you take notice of things or events around you and ask questions like: How? Why? I wonder?

  2. Do you enjoy a challenge?

  3. Do you like to search for solutions and persevere to achieve your goals?

  4. Are you an independent thinker who looks for evidence?

  5. Do you see yourself as a life-long learner?

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, you have come to the right place … you are a Knowledge Seeker!

We might not have the answers to all of your questions, but we’ll get you started in the right direction.

Using the Internet for Research

Here’s how to get started using a Search Engine such as Google or Yahoo!

  1. Define your question. For example:

    • What water treatment processes are used in my community?

    • How is the beaver fever bacterium eliminated from my drinking water?

  2. Refine your question so that you identify a few key terms to narrow your search. Here are some search terms that may be useful as a starting point:

    • Water treatment • Water purification • Waterborne micro-organisms • Waterborne pathogens • Clean drinking water • Process clean water • “Water Research” • “Water Purification” • “Water Treatment” • “Water Treatment Plant” • “Waste Water” • “Clean Water” • “Water +UV Treatment” • “Water +Sodium Hypochlorite”

  3. Analyze the sites from your search. The Internet is a self-publishing medium. Everything you find here must be evaluated for validity, accuracy and currency. Check the URL:

    • Is it someone’s personal page?
    • This might not be the best reference unless you can verify that the person is qualified to speak on the topic.
    • Is the site linked to another reputable site such as an educational institution?

    • The domain can provide some insight.
    • Government agencies end in (.gov)
    • Educational institutions end in (.edu)
    • Most not-for-profit agencies end in (.org)
    •Countries are often identified by endings such as: .(ca , .uk , .au) , however that is not necessarily a good indication of validity

  4. Scan the web page for other information such as:

    • Organizational philosophy, mandate, background
    •Is the page current? When was it updated last?
    •Who wrote the information on the page? What are their qualifications to present the information?
    •Is the page linked to other reputable sources?

  5. Useful website links:
    www.albertawater.com
    www.albertawatersmart.com
    www.waterforlife.alberta.ca
    www.albertawatercouncil.ca
    www.albertaingenuity.ca/ingenuity/institutes/water/research
    www.albertaingenuity.ca

Don’t Forget to Try Other Sources Too!

  1. Public libraries
  2. Municipal Offices
  3. Local water treatment plants
  4. Post-secondary institutions
  5. Alberta Environment

Observation and curiosity are at the core of being a knowledge seeker and scientist.

Ever Wonder… what you will be questioning next?