Objectives:
In
this modified Project WET activity, students will:
- examine the many different ways to use water.
- discuss the impact each one has on other water users.
Materials:
- Two jugs of water - one labeled "ground water," the other labeled "surface water" (one gallon milk containers will work)
- Ball of string or yarn
- Description of Water Users cards (pasted on 3 x 5 cards)
Procedure:
- Have students make a list of the different ways they use water. Introduce the concept that water can be used both directly (washing your hands) and indirectly (eating an apple). After mentioning this, add to the original list.
- Pass out Water Users cards giving one to each student. Have the students silently read the description of his or her water user. Ask water users to consider how they depend on products and services supplied by other users.
- Have students stand in a circle around the water jugs. Attach the jugs by the handles with the yarn. The teacher will stand in the middle at the jugs. Explain that the jugs represent all water and the yarn represents our need for water.
- Select a student to describe the goods or services his or her water user provides and how they use water. Pass the ball of yarn to that student. Have them wrap the yarn loosely around one finger and then pass it back to the center. In the center, wrap the yarn around the jug handles one time.
- After each student has done this, pass the yarn to one student. Have that student read his or her card. Ask the other students to raise their hands if they use the goods or service offered by that student. Have the person with the yarn pass the ball of yarn to one of the students who raised their hand. (The student passing the yarn should hold on to the yarn so he/she is connected to the new student.) Repeat this until all of the students are connected.
- To emphasize the interdependence of the water users, ask one student to tug gently on their section of yarn. Ask the other students if they can feel it. If they can, have them tug on their yarn. They will understand that all water users are connected and that we all depend on each other to enjoy our fair share of water.
- If the water jugs in the middle ever get raised up or tip over, explain that the water supply is being overextended. The users are using too much water and the supply is feeling the stress.
Extension:
At lunchtime, ask the students to bring back one item from their lunch. It can be anything from a can to a bag to a granola bar to a piece of fruit. Ask the students to get into 4 groups. From those four groups, ask each student to choose one item that was brought back from lunch. Ask the groups to make a diagram of how that item got to them today and how much water it took to make it. Encourage them to think of every step of the process, including any farming, mining, transporting, coloration, etc. Allow them time to discover these steps before you suggest them. Have each group make a presentation to the class.
This activity is available as an Adobe PDF.
Introduction