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!
What’s included in your project?
Project Plan and Resources
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.
Online Resources
Interactive Games and Activities
- “Water You Gonna Do About It?” Challenge*
- Connected by Water Activity
- Fundraiser Planning Activity
- Voting Stars Cut-outs
- Water Quality Survey
- Water Sample Analysis Spreadsheet
Websites and Videos
- Chrome Music Lab
- The World’s Watersheds Map
- Hydrologic Unit Code Locator
- PBS Kids: Build a Watershed
- PBS Kids: Follow the Water
- Skype a Scientist
- Video: Cheru’s Journey
- Video: Earth to Blorb: Water!
- Video: Kamama’s Journey
- Video: Powers of Ten
- Video: Spaced Out
- Video: The Water Cycle
- Video: The Water Cycle | The Dr. Binocs Show
- Video: Water, Water Everywhere
- Video: What Is A Watershed?
- Water and the Earth
- Water within Reach Article
- Watershed Rap*
Additional Resources
- Book List
- Fundraiser Ideas*
- Charity Matching Chart
- Home Letter
- K-2 Cutting Stars
- K-2 Student Job Tracking Chart
- K-2 Worldwide Water Issues
- Kid-Safe Search Sites
- Press Release
- Reflection Journal
- Student Job Tracking Chart
- Student Self-Assessment Rubric
- Teacher Assessment Rubric
- Virtual Fundraiser Ideas
- Virtual Student Edition
- Water Testing Resource
- Worldwide Water Issues Guide
All lessons include:
- In-person, virtual, and hybrid options
- Modifications for primary grade students and/or emerging readers
About the Author
Each Blue Apple Project Includes:
- Engaging lessons designed to make learning memorable, meaningful, and fun
- Curated online resources to save you time searching for content
- In-person, virtual, and hybrid options for all learning environments
- Cross-curricular mini-lessons in English-Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Social-Emotional Learning
- Videos and contact info provided by real-world experts willing to meet with your students
- Opportunities to collaborate with other classrooms doing the same project
- Free project supplies to get you started right away
