Assistant Professor Seyed Javad Amirfakhri led students in hands-on PFAS education workshops during the UW-Stevens Point STEAM Point Day on Feb. 6, 2026.
The two workshops were titled “Engineering Clean Water: Build Your Own Filter & Explore Emerging Contaminants.” A total of 46 students registered for the workshops:
- 14 from PJ Jacobs Junior High School
- 20 from Greenville Middle School
- 12 from Adams-Friendship High School
During the workshops, students designed and built their own water filtration systems using reusable soda bottles, cotton balls, playground sand, biochar, and gravel. They then tested their filters using greywater. The filtered water was visibly clearer and significantly improved compared to the original sample, demonstrating that their designs were effective at removing dirt and suspended solids.
However, following the filtration activity, students learned why the filtered water was not safe to drink. It can contain other contaminants such as pathogens and PFAS. Students learned about PFAS sources, health impacts, and different strategies to mitigate PFAS distribution. Instructcors also highlighted the importance of individual and community actions, helping students see their role as part of a larger effort to address PFAS contamination.
The workshops were part of Amirfakhri’s ongoing Freshwater Collaborative-funded research. He is collaborating with faculty at UW-Madison and undergraduates from both universities to develop a new type of carbon-based material that can capture PFAS from water and break them down into safe final products such as water and carbon dioxide.
Part of the grant includes developing hands-on PFAS workshops, such as the ones held during STEAM Point Day, for K-12 students and teachers. The project addresses a critical water quality challenge while preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers to protect Wisconsin’s water resources.
