Grade 8 2.3: Water Around the World

Timing: 2-75 minute periods

Activity type: Project

 

Description:

This class project introduces students to water usage, and to data gathering and analysis. The Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) has set-up an Internet-based collaborative project which allows students to share information about water usage with other students from around the world. Students and others in their household will collect data for one week and use the information to determine the average daily water use per person. This data will be submitted to a world-wide data base to compare their average to others around the world.

 

Expectations:

Science: 8s123

 

 

 

 

Global
Water Stats
Canadian
Water Stats

 



Materials:

 

Teaching strategies

DAY 1: How much water do you and your family use per day?

  1. Present a one-litre clear plastic container filled with water. Ask your students to estimate how many litres would use to:
    • wash their hands
    • brush their teeth
    • take a shower
    • water the lawn
    • take a bath
    • do a load of laundry
  2. Using a faucet, measure the amount of water flowing from a faucet in one minute. Repeat this exercise twice; once with water running slowly and once running quickly. Note: have multiple empty one-litre container available for this exercise
  3. Identify with class the flow rate of water per minute for slowly and quickly running water. This will be used as the estimate for the remainder of the lesson.
  4. Have students calculate how much water they would use if they washed dishes for 3 minutes with water running slowly and water running quickly.
  5. Distribute the Family Tally Chart to students and have them record their personal and family water use for a period of one week. Students should also check with their parents if they have a standard or low flow shower head and either a standard or low flow toilet.

DAY 2 - A week later.

  1. Students will calculate the average amount of water used by each member of their household. This information will be written in Table 2. They will calculate the average daily water use for their family.
  2. Students will record their daily family water use amount on the board and together as a class, calculate the average daily water use.
  3. Enter the Project Data section of the CIESE website. Students can then compare their results to that of students from around the world
  4. By examining the data, have students answer the following questions:
    • How do you think the average amount of water you use in one day compares to what other Canadians use? Other North Americans?
    • Do you think people in other parts of the world use more or less water than Canadians? Why?
    • What factors contribute to water usage? (ie. Water distribution and availability)
    • Do people in drier climates use more water than people in rainier climates?
    • Do Canadians use more water than people in Europe and Asia?
    • Does water usage depend on geographical location?
    • Do people who live near oceans use less water than people who do not?

Download a Word version of this lesson plan.

 

HOME ABOUT MODULES DIY! FEEDBACK RESOURCES CREDITS WATERCAN