Quenching a Thirsty Planet

Even though the Earth is a water planet, humans are faced with the issue of a lack of clean water. This unit centers on access to clean water and is driven by the major question: "What can we do to ensure that we have continuous and sufficient access to clean water?"

Students will learn about the water crisis from a global and local perspective, including uses, trends, and predictions concerning water health and access, current events and issues affecting water use and availability, and potential emerging solutions for the water crisis. Students will analyze public data, develop and articulate positions on the various facets of the water crisis, create and use scientific models to understand the scientific and social aspects of the issue, reflect on personal stewardship, and work toward potential solutions. 

Unit Overview & Pacing Guide

Storyline

Standards

North Carolina

7. E. 1: Understand how the cycling of matter (water and gases) in and out of the atmosphere relates to Earth’s atmosphere, weather and climate and the effects of the atmosphere on humans.

• 7.E.1.2 Explain how the cycling of water in and out of the atmosphere and atmospheric conditions relate to the weather patterns on Earth.

• 7.E.1.3 Explain the relationship between the movement of air masses, high and low pressure systems, and frontal boundaries to storms (including thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes) and other weather conditions that may result. 

• 7.E.1.4 Predict weather conditions and patterns based on information obtained from: Weather data collected from direct observations and measurement (wind speed and direction, air temperature, humidity and air pressure), Weather maps, satellites and radar, Cloud shapes and types and associated elevation.

• 7.E.1.5 Explain the influence of convection, global winds and the jet stream on weather and climatic conditions.

• 7.E.1.6 Conclude that the good health of humans requires: monitoring the atmosphere, maintaining air quality and stewardship.

NGSS

ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes

• Water continually cycles among land, ocean, and atmosphere via transpiration, evaporation, condensation and crystallization, and precipitation, as well as downhill flows on land. 

• Global movements of water and its changes in form are propelled by sunlight and gravity.

• Variations in density due to variations in temperature and salinity drive a global pattern of interconnected ocean currents.

📂 Complete List of Materials

Lesson Set 1

Teacher Materials

Teacher slides 1.1 Where Does The Problem Exist

Teacher PowerPoint titled: 1.2 Where Does My Water Come From? (optional)

Lesson Set 1 Answer Keys

Student Materials

Student material: 1.1 Student Sorting Activity (recommend 1 set per group or access to them digitally)

Device to access the internet (Lesson 1.2)

Optional

Optional Activity: 1.1 The Water Burden

Lesson Set 2

Teacher Materials

Teacher Slides: 2.1 Where is water found?

Lesson Set 2 Answer Keys

Example water cycle models

1-gallon jug full of water, colored with blue food dye for easier viewing 

1 glass bowl or clear container, big enough to hold 1 gallon

1 tablespoon

Teacher Slides: 2.2 How much water do we use?

Student Materials

2.1 The Hoover Dam & Lake Mead

2.1 High Plains Aquifer & Agriculture

A way to keep up with their different versions of the water cycle models

Device to access the internet

2.2 How much after do we use? Student worksheet

Optional

Teacher Slides: Reading Graphs

Whiteboard & markers (1 per group)

Lesson Set 3

Teacher Materials: 

Teacher PowerPoint titled: 3.1 What do we use water for? 

Lesson Set 3 Answer Keys

Teacher PowerPoint titled: 3.2 Where does the water go once it’s used?

Water Cycle Models

Teacher PowerPoint titled: 3.3 Has this problem always existed? 

A ~20 minute movie is on slide 13. Make sure it is loaded. 

Student Materials: 

3.1 Uses of water card sort (We recommend one set per 1-3 students)

Student Worksheet: 3.1: Per Capita vs. Total Withdrawal

A device to access public data (at least one device per 1-3 students) 

Student Worksheet: Agriculture and Home Pollutants (the images are in color, so it might be helpful if students have access to a digital copy for analysis)

Student Worksheet: Does More Rainfall Mean We Have More Water? 

A device to access simulation (at least one device per 1-3 students) 

Students' previous water cycle models

Paper to revise water cycle models

3.3 Student Resources: 

National Geographic Article: “How Climate Change Impacts Water Access” 

Infographic: “How Climate Change Impacts Weather”

Diagram: “Effects of Climate Change on Water”

A device to access student resources (resources can be printed, but they will show up better digitally)

Student Worksheet: Deforestation & Water Cycle

Students' previous water cycle models

Paper to revise water cycle models

Optional

Reading Graphs

Applying your model additional practice

Netflix Explained: The World’s Water Crisis Movie Guide

Lesson Set 4

Teacher Materials: 

Teacher PowerPoint titled: 4.1 What can society do? 

Sticky notes or sticky notes-sized pieces of paper for students to write on

Lesson set 4 answer keys

Teacher slides titled: 4.2 How can we “create” water? 

Make sure the video on slide 2 is loaded beforehand. 

Teacher PowerPoint titled: 4.3 What can I do? These slides can also be given to students for independent exploration and not conducted as a teacher-led activity

Student Materials: 

4.1 The World & Its Water Readings & student chart

Student Worksheet 4.2 Comparing Perspectives 

Optional

Student discussion notes

Pedagogical Support