Teacher & Student Materials > Quenching a Thirsty Planet
Is the problem changing?
3 hours
Although the necessity for water has always played a part in human civilization, current cultural trends, climate change, and population growth are exacerbating the crisis.
Students will use their revised water cycle models to explore the connections between social factors, scientific forces, and the changing water cycle better to grasp the magnitude and complexity of the issue.
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Materials: Teacher Powerpoint: 3.3 Has this problem always existed?; Student Resources; water cycle models
Optional Materials: Applying the Model
In this activity, students will get practice applying their newly revised water cycle model to answer a question. Students will read a short passage, look at an infographic, and a water cycle diagram as a small group.
They will then individually construct an explanation to explain how population growth, climate change, and the water cycle are all connected.
Students can go from one explanation to the other on their own or wait for the teacher’s direction.
Students practice applying their water cycle models before being assessed on it in the next activity.
Slides 1-10 are optional. They are included in the slide deck in case students are struggling with how to represent what they know of the water cycle.
Small group discussion
DP- Modeling
It is important that students have the opportunity to try to represent their knowledge of the water cycle models on their own before seeing the slides 1-10 because it will help them negotiate their new knowledge with what they already know in more meaningful ways.
Additionally, the true value of modeling lies in its application. By teaching students to apply their models, teachers empower them to use their knowledge and skills to address real-world questions and make predictions about various phenomena.
Materials: Optional: video guide
This video sums up the previous three lesson sets. We recommend just allowing students to watch it, but if students need a video guide, one is provided in the optional materials.
Debrief questions:
Materials: 3.3 Deforestation & The Water Cycle
It is recommended that students work independently on this assignment since so much of their other work is group-based. The last question will provide the teacher with a clue as to how well students understand the water cycle.
Water has always played a vital role in human civilization, but the current state of the world presents new challenges to its availability. Cultural trends, climate change, and population growth are exacerbating the water crisis, amplifying its magnitude and complexity. Cultural shifts, such as industrialization and urbanization, have led to increased water demands and altered patterns of water usage. Climate change, driven by factors like rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns, disrupts the natural water cycle, affecting the distribution and availability of water resources. Additionally, rapid population growth puts additional strain on water supplies, particularly in regions already facing water scarcity.
| Day | Activity | Potential Modifications |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | How population growth, climate change, and the water cycle are connected (slides 11-12) | Slides 1-10 are only for if students are struggling to make sophisticated water cycle models To save time, students can do the activity as a group, but they each need to make sure their models are going to help them in the next independent activity. |
| Day 2 | 3.3 Deforestation & The Water Cycle | Can be completed as homework if appropriate for your students |
| Day 3 | Watch Netflix Explained: The World’s Water Crisis | This documentary is about 20 minutes long and can be skipped if necessary, however, it wonderfully sums up everything we’ve learned so far. The next lesson set will start with information from the documentary, so be sure to read the background information to be prepared. |
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Developing a model is only part of the science and engineering practice; students must also use their models to answer questions and make predictions. By teaching students to use their models to explain changes in the water cycle, teachers empower them to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world phenomena and develop a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Applying models to explain changes in the water cycle enables students to explore cause-and-effect relationships, identify patterns, and make predictions about how different factors can influence the cycle. It encourages critical thinking as students analyze data, interpret observations, and draw conclusions based on their models. By engaging in this process, students develop a deeper appreciation for the dynamic nature of the water cycle and the factors that can impact its balance and stability.
The application of models fosters a sense of relevance and ownership among students. It allows them to see the practical implications of their models and how they can be used to explain real-world phenomena such as droughts, floods, or shifts in precipitation patterns. Through this application, students develop a more holistic understanding of the water cycle and its importance in sustaining ecosystems, supporting human activities, and addressing pressing environmental challenges.
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