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Can students improve water quality for our planet?
Water is essential for life. All living things depend upon it. Yet every day, our actions contribute to pollution that is detrimental to our waterways—and ultimately our watersheds. In this project, students will take action to protect our watersheds. They will investigate water samples to determine what’s in their water, and investigate ways to improve water quality. Then, they’ll share what they’ve learned by creating a fundraiser to raise money for a charity that focuses on improving water quality and water pollution issues.
Imagine if the actions we take now to protect our watersheds resulted in cleaner and more sustainable waterways. What a difference this would make for all of Earth’s living creatures!
Project Learning Targets
Lesson 1: Students understand what watersheds are, and why it is important to keep them clean.
Lesson 2: Students understand how watersheds relate to their Hydrologic Unit Code.
Lesson 3: Students understand the role of topography in defining watershed boundaries.
Lesson 4: Students understand the process of water sample collection and analysis.
Lesson 5: Students explore the water issues that exist in our world.
Lesson 6: Students collaboratively plan a fundraiser to improve the world.
Lesson 7: Students refine their fundraiser to improve its quality.
Lesson 8: Students work well with others to implement their plan for a fundraiser.
For lesson descriptions, download the project overview.
For K–8 content connections, download the content correlations.
What is included with your project?
Sample Online Resources
- “‘Water’ You Gonna Do about It?” Game
- Cheru’s Journey (YouTube 0:54)
- Hydrological Unit Code Locator
- “Build a Watershed” Activity
- “Water Within Reach” Article
- And so much more!
Kit Supplies
- Food Coloring
- Pipe Cleaners
- Clothes Pins
- Glitter
- Duct Tape
- Oil
- Spray Bottles
- Garbage Bags
- Water Testing Strips
- English Language Arts: Visual and Oral Information
- Math: Units of Measure
- Science: Water and Erosion
- Social Studies: Freedoms and Responsibilities
- Social-Emotional Learning: Self-Management and Relationship Skills
- Meet a Defender
- Explore Aquifers with a Wildlife Biologist
- Skype a Scientist
- Meet and Tweet with the Kings of the Springs
- Wrap it Up-and Rap it Out!
Basin Buddies
Use web searches in conjunction with the Hydrologic Unit Code tool to find schools who share your same basin, but who have different watersheds. Write them a letter to inform them about how you share your water.
- Rules and Routines
- Risk-Taking and Perseverance
To see a complete list of what’s included in your project, download the project overview.
About the Author
Each Blue Apple Project Includes:
- Engaging lessons designed to make learning memorable, meaningful, and fun
- PBL Supports such as: real-world connections, collaboration options, cross-curricular content, and just-in-time professional development
- Time-saving links to dozens of curated online resources
- Kit of supplies that bring your project to life
- Access to a Project Coach to ask questions and share ideas... you're never alone!
