An individual activity that uses microscopes to
help student’s visualize the differences between clean and contaminated
water. Students are then encouraged to think and write about the lives
of people in developing countries without access to clean water.
Expectations:
Science and Technology – Understanding Basic Concepts: 6s10 – Developing Skills of Inquiry, Design and Communication: 6s15
English Language – Writing: 6e1, 6e2
Global
Water Stats
Canadian
Water Stats
Materials:
Microscopes
Recording sheets
Journals
Samples of filtered tap water and contaminated pond water
Teaching
strategies
Have the students analyze a sample of clean, filtered tap water under a microscope. Have them illustrate and label what they see.
Have the students analyze a sample of contaminated pond water. Have them illustrate and label what they see, identifying any microscopic organisms, if possible.
Instruct the students to compare their two samples. What was different between the two samples? What do they think would happen if they were forced to drink contaminated water all the time? Explain that for many people all over the world, this contaminated water would be the only water available for them to drink and prepare food with.
Instruct the students to compare their two samples. What was different between the two samples? What do they think would happen if they were forced to drink contaminated water all the time? Explain that for many people all over the world, this contaminated water would be the only water available for them to drink and prepare food with.
Read the following facts to the class:
More than 5 million people die each year from diseases caused by unsafe drinking water, lack of sanitation and insufficient water for hygiene. In fact, over 2 million deaths occur each year from water-related diarrhoea alone.
In the developing countries, 80% of illnesses are water-related.
More than 6,000 children die every day from diseases associated with lack of access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene
1.1 billion people, about 20% of the world’s population, remain without access to safe drinking water.
Have the students write a journal entry of their thoughts and feelings about the lack of clean water in many parts of the world.
