2. Close to Home: Water Where We Are From
Learners consider who uses water in their community and how, and they make water samples.
Guiding Question
Who uses water in our community, and how do they use it?
Activity TimingSetup: Prep Time 15 min.
- Set up Materials Table.
- Print handouts.
*See Materials & Preparation in the Educator Guide linked above for full info.
Context-Setting Video
Recycling Water on Space Station
21st Century Skills
- Critical Thinking
Habits of Mind
- Consider problems in context.
Learners Will Do
- Identify multiple groups that use water and the kind of water each needs.
Learners Will Know
- Different types of water can be used in different ways.
Connecting Across Activities
- Activity 1: Sharing Experiences: Last time, learners shared experiences with and stories about water.
- Activity 2: Water Where We Are From: Today, learners consider who uses water in their community and how, and they make water samples.
- Activity 3: Investigating Water Quality: Next time, learners will measure the water quality of the samples they have made.
Related Video
Water Reuse in Extreme Environments: Human Technology
Level Up! (Optional)
In the Educator Guide, you will see “Level Up!” Sections. These include great tips and activities that build and extend STEM and 21st Century skills, and create stronger connections between educators, youth, and families. They typically take a little extra time, so please plan accordingly.
- Refer to the Engineering Design Process poster. Ask: What steps of the Engineering Design Process did you use today? (We identified groups that use water and investigated how they use it and how it becomes contaminated.) (5 min.)
- Ask this story prompt question: Can you tell a story about contaminated water, either that you’ve experienced directly or learned about? (Possible responses include finding contaminated water, witnessing the effects of contaminated water, and helping to clean contaminated water.) Have learners share with a partner (note that the sharing can take forms other than speaking aloud). (20 min.)
- Tell learners, if anyone asks them what they did today, they can tell them, “We explored who in our community uses water and how.” (5 min.)
