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Water Scarcity Unit
Take a journey across the planet and discover the natural water cycle that replenishes the global water supply!
Take a look at the four main causes of water scarcity we face, and how we can use water filters to fix them!
Design & engineer a water filtration system for your own community's water supply!
Become a water conservation master, and develop critical thinking skills in this fun, team, outdoor activity!
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The Water Scarcity Unit provides an in-depth exploration of the pressing issue of water scarcity.
This unit is divided into 4 lessons, each containing its own video series and lesson plan. You can teach one lesson at a time (e.g., watch the Meet the Boneheads videos and then do the corresponding lesson) or watch all the videos first and then choose the lesson plans that work best for your class. The tools are flexible—use them in the way that best fits your teaching style and your students’ needs.
Intro
Meet the Boneheads! A lively introduction to the topic of water scarcity. In the art lesson, students explore the causes, impacts, and potential solutions to water scarcity by creating an infographic that communicates their understanding and inspires action.
Problem
It’s Your Planet Too! explores the problem of water scarcity through real-world examples. The social justice lesson plan examines water scarcity as a global equity issue, encouraging kids to research, analyze, and propose solutions to ensure fair access to clean water for all.
Solution
Think Like Engineers! introduces green technology solutions to address water scarcity. Complemented by a STEAM-focused engineering design lesson plan, students brainstorm, design, and present their own creative water filtration systems to tackle real-world challenges.
Action
You Have the Power! energizes students with a hands-on exploration of water conservation. And outdoors, kids will observe water usage in their environment, identify conservation opportunities, and develop practical solutions to help protect this vital resource.
Lesson Previews
Lesson 1: Meet the Boneheads! Understanding Water Scarcity
Join the Bonehead team as they introduce you to the fascinating world of water scarcity. Discover why water is a precious resource and learn about the challenges faced by communities around the globe. Get ready to embark on an exciting journey that will equip you with the knowledge to tackle this critical issue!
Video Segments
Video 1: Castaway Water – Part 1
Join host Bobby Donohue in this adventure to understand the water cycle and our need for potable water! JP Rothbone and his Sniveling Cronies have designed an amazing water filtration system that would allow everyone on Earth to have pure, clean drinking water – at a steep price, of course! In true Rothbone fashion though, JP sets off to pollute ALL the Earth’s water so that everyone, everywhere would need to buy his filter.
Video 2: Thirsty Planet: Exploring Water Scarcity
This introductory segment explores the concept of water scarcity and the importance of clean drinking water for human survival, highlighting the challenges faced by communities without access to potable water. Students gain insight into the global water crisis, the role of the natural water cycle, and innovative solutions being developed to address this critical issue.
After the Videos: Class Discussion Topics
Can we create new water from scratch? Why or why not?
Infographic: Visualizing Solutions — Art Lesson Plan
In this interdisciplinary art lesson, students in grades 3-5 will explore the global issue of water scarcity by creating visual representations of its causes, impacts, and potential solutions. Through age-appropriate activities, students will use their artistic talents to analyze the critical role of water in ecosystems, communities, and daily life. This lesson connects science, social studies, and art by encouraging students to express complex ideas visually, fostering a deeper understanding of water’s importance and the innovative solutions needed to conserve and protect this vital resource. By engaging in this creative process, students will strengthen their ability to communicate ideas and advocate for change while building their artistic, observational, and problem-solving skills.
Lesson Standards Alignment
Creating:
Students develop ideas for infographics or posters illustrating the causes and impacts of water scarcity, using sketches and designs to visually explore how water systems work and how conservation efforts help.
Presenting:
Students create and display infographics, posters, or art projects that communicate the significance of clean water and conservation, presenting their ideas to peers in a class gallery walk or discussion.
Responding:
Students analyze the artistic choices in their classmates’ infographics or posters, providing constructive feedback on how effectively the visuals communicate the importance of water scarcity and conservation.
Connecting:
Students analyze the artistic choices in their classmates’ infographics or posters, providing constructive feedback on how effectively the visuals communicate the importance of water scarcity and conservation.
3-LS4-3 (Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity): Students will create posters or infographics showing how water availability impacts plants and animals, visually highlighting the importance of water for biodiversity.
3-ESS3-1 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will use art to explore how human activities like pollution and deforestation impact water quality, creating visuals that illustrate solutions for protecting water resources.
4-ESS2-2 (Earth’s Systems): Students will create artistic representations of how water shapes the Earth’s surface through weathering and erosion, fostering a deeper understanding of water’s impact on landscapes.
4-ESS3-2 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will design posters showcasing water conservation technologies, like rain barrels or drip irrigation, and visually communicate how these innovations help reduce human impacts on water availability.
5-ESS2-2 (Earth’s Systems): Students will create visual models of the water cycle, illustrating how precipitation, evaporation, and runoff interact and demonstrating their understanding of water’s movement through Earth’s systems.
5-ESS3-1 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will design infographics or visual aids that communicate the role of technology in improving water management, focusing on how these innovations help ensure access to clean water.
3-5-ETS1-1 (Engineering Design): Students will use art to visually define problems related to water scarcity and design solutions, creating detailed diagrams or concept sketches of their proposed ideas.
3-5-ETS1-2 (Engineering Design): Students will develop and compare artistic representations of various water filtration designs, using visuals to analyze and communicate which systems are most effective in addressing water quality issues.
Conclusion & Assessment
Grades 3:
Focus on the basic concepts of water scarcity and its impact on communities. Assess students based on their ability to visually represent simple causes and solutions of water scarcity in their infographics. Enhance learning by having students present their infographics to the class and explain their design choices.
Grade 4:
Concentrate on the interconnectedness of water scarcity causes and solutions. Assess understanding through creative descriptions and visual representations in their infographics. Consider extending the project by having students research and report on one specific engineering solution to water scarcity and its effectiveness.
Grade 5:
Dive deeper into the engineering solutions depicted in their infographics and their potential impact on global water issues. Assess students on their ability to articulate the complexities of water scarcity and propose viable solutions through their infographics. Enhancements could include a project where students collaborate to design and implement a water conservation initiative in their school or community, based on their research and findings.
Lesson 2: It's Your Planet Too! The Problems with Water Scarcity
Dive deeper into the problem of water scarcity in this segment. Through engaging visuals and storytelling, we’ll explore the various causes and impacts of water shortages on ecosystems and human communities. Plus, you’ll have the chance to unleash your creativity with an art lesson that empowers you to visualize solutions and advocate for water conservation.
Video Segments
Video 3: The Water Cycle: Water’s Endless Journey Across Planet Earth
This segment takes students on a journey through the water cycle, exploring evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. With vivid explanations and engaging visuals, students discover how water moves through Earth’s atmosphere and surface, fostering a deeper appreciation for the processes that shape our planet’s hydrological systems.
Video 4: Water Shortages: Exploring Physical and Economic Scarcity
This segment introduces students to water scarcity, focusing on its two main forms: physical and economic. Through real-world examples, students explore the challenges communities face in accessing clean water and gain an understanding of the crisis, inspiring them to advocate for equitable solutions.
Video 5: Water Scarcity: The 4 Root Causes
In this segment, viewers uncover the four primary causes of water scarcity, from limited availability to contamination and poor management practices. Through engaging examples, students grasp the interconnectedness of these factors and are inspired to adopt a solution-oriented mindset. By fostering critical thinking skills, the video empowers students to become catalysts for positive change in addressing water scarcity.
Video 6: Castaway Water – Part 2
While searching for JP’s secret lair, the Boneheads are shipwrecked on an uncharted desert isle—the very island where JP is about to unleash a terrible storm that will rain down pollution over the entire planet’s water supply. Pa Fossil tries to give Bonehead the mission details so he can destroy JP’s pollution machine before it pollutes all the Earth’s drinking water. Unfortunately, Bonehead isn’t listening, and is instead daydreaming about his own heroic adventure to stop JP and gain fame and glory.
After the Videos: Class Discussion Topics
How does the water cycle play a role in water scarcity? Can you describe the different stages of the water cycle and explain how they are connected?
Why is it important to have clean water for both humans and the environment? How does water quality affect our health and the health of ecosystems?
What are the four main causes of water scarcity we learned about in the episode? Can you think of any examples for each cause?
Intersection of Climate Change and Water — Social Justice Lesson Plan
This social justice lesson plan engages students in grades 3-5 in a thoughtful exploration of water scarcity as both an environmental and social issue. By examining how water access varies across different communities and the challenges caused by climate change, pollution, and infrastructure, students will develop an understanding of fairness, equity, and the importance of shared resources. Younger students will focus on building empathy and identifying simple solutions, while older students will dive deeper into analyzing systemic causes and proposing innovative, evidence-based strategies to address water scarcity. Through research, discussion, and written projects, this lesson empowers students to think critically, communicate effectively, and advocate for sustainable and equitable water solutions, preparing them to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Lesson Standards Alignment
Identity:
Students develop a sense of identity by understanding their role as environmental stewards and contributors to solutions for water scarcity. They reflect on their local water use habits and how these relate to the broader global challenge of equitable water access.
Diversity:
Students explore how water scarcity impacts different communities, identifying similarities and differences between regions. They learn to value the experiences of others while understanding how their local environment connects to broader global issues of water equity.
Justice:
Students investigate the causes of water scarcity and examine issues of fairness, such as unequal distribution, pollution, or poor infrastructure. They identify injustices related to water access and brainstorm age-appropriate solutions to make water systems more equitable.
Action:
Students develop and share concrete solutions to water scarcity challenges in their assigned regions, such as proposing conservation strategies or designing water-sharing systems. They advocate for water equity by presenting their findings to classmates and their school community.
3-ESS3-1 (Earth and Human Activity): Students research and present how water scarcity impacts their assigned region, identifying specific challenges and potential solutions to ensure equitable access.
4-ESS3-2 (Earth and Human Activity): Students analyze the benefits and risks of water conservation strategies, such as rain barrels or reducing water waste, and how these can be applied to their assigned region.
5-ESS2-2 (Earth’s Systems): Students use their findings to describe how water scarcity impacts ecosystems and communities, connecting the movement of water in the environment to real-world challenges.
5-ESS3-1 (Earth and Human Activity): Students identify human actions and technologies that promote water conservation and equity, emphasizing how their solutions improve water access in underserved areas.
3-5-ETS1-1 (Engineering Design): Students define problems related to water scarcity and propose age-appropriate solutions, integrating fairness and environmental sustainability into their ideas.
Conclusion & Assessment
Grade 3:
Assessment for third graders should focus on their ability to gather information and explain their findings in a clear and structured way. Have students create a simple report, infographic, or short presentation summarizing what they learned about water scarcity in their assigned region. Emphasize the importance of identifying key causes and effects while encouraging creativity in how they share their information. Support students in using visuals, such as drawings or charts, to illustrate their points and make connections to real-world examples.
Grade 4:
Fourth graders should be assessed on their ability to analyze information and make connections between environmental and social factors. Ask students to write a short essay or develop a digital or physical infographic that explains their assigned region’s water scarcity challenges and potential solutions. When presenting their work to the class, they should demonstrate an understanding of how climate change and human activities contribute to water scarcity. Encourage classmates to ask questions and provide constructive feedback to deepen their critical thinking and discussion skills.
Grade 5:
Fifth graders should focus on both in-depth research and advocacy. Their assessment should include a well-structured essay or multimedia presentation that not only explains water scarcity but also proposes actionable solutions. During presentations, evaluate their ability to communicate their ideas effectively, support their points with evidence, and engage with peer questions. To extend learning, students can write persuasive letters to local government officials or design advocacy posters promoting water conservation efforts, applying their knowledge to real-world action.
Lesson 3: Think Like Engineers! Water Filters to the Rescue?
It’s time to roll up your sleeves and think like engineers! In this segment, you’ll uncover innovative green technology solutions designed to combat water scarcity. From water filtration systems to sustainable practices, you’ll learn how engineering can play a vital role in ensuring everyone has access to clean water. Get ready to design your own filtration system in an exciting hands-on STEAM lesson!
Video Segments
Video 7: The Power of Water Filters
In this segment, viewers explore the innovative world of water filtration technology and its crucial role in addressing water scarcity. Through vivid explanations, students uncover how water filters function as a “big net” to remove impurities, transforming dirty water into clean, potable water. Real-world applications, from desalination plants to solar-powered filters, inspire students to envision practical solutions for ensuring universal access to clean water.
Video 8: Water Filters and Community Water Solutions
This video highlights the potential of water filters in managing water resources, showcasing how greywater systems repurpose used water for non-potable needs and how decentralized systems ensure clean water access in challenging areas. Students are inspired to explore innovative solutions for universal water access.
Video 9: Castaway Water – Part 3
While Bonehead is busily preparing for his mission, the actual mission of destroying JP’s pollution machine is undertaken by the rest of the spy team. Once the mission is complete, the Boneheads still face the problem of getting themselves off the deserted tropical island.
After the Videos: Class Discussion Topics
How do water filters work, and help improve water quality and availability?
Can you think of a situation where a decentralized water system might be more beneficial than a centralized one?
What is greywater, and how can it be used to reduce water waste and help with water management?
What are some ways that communities can improve their water management practices to reduce water scarcity?
Water Filtration — S.T.E.A.M. Engineering & Design Lesson Plan
In this STEAM-focused engineering lesson plan, students from grades K-8 will become innovative problem-solvers as they explore the challenges of water scarcity and design their own water filtration systems. Through age-appropriate activities, students will integrate science, technology, engineering, art, and math to conceptualize solutions to real-world water scarcity issues. Whether sketching simple ideas, building functional prototypes, or creating advanced designs, students will engage in critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. This lesson empowers learners to connect their knowledge of water systems and conservation to the engineering design process, inspiring them to tackle global challenges with innovative and sustainable solutions.
Lesson Standards Alignment
Creating:
Students will design more detailed water filtration prototypes by creating labeled diagrams that incorporate elements of engineering and art to visually represent how their systems would work.
Presenting:
Students will present their labeled diagrams or basic prototypes to the class, explaining how their designs solve water scarcity challenges and demonstrating an understanding of how art enhances communication.
Responding:
Students will analyze and critique peer designs, evaluating how effectively the artistic elements communicate the filtration system’s functionality and providing constructive feedback.
Connecting:
Students will integrate their knowledge of water scarcity and filtration technologies into their designs, making connections between art, science, and the real-world problem of ensuring clean water access.
3-ESS3-1 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will evaluate human impacts on water resources and design filtration systems to improve water quality, focusing on practical solutions for reducing pollution.
3-5-ETS1-1 (Engineering Design): Students will define the problem of water scarcity and brainstorm filtration systems or conservation methods, considering the real-world constraints and needs of different communities.
3-5-ETS1-2 (Engineering Design): Students will design and compare water filtration prototypes to determine which is most effective in removing contaminants while conserving resources, fostering critical thinking and experimentation.
5-ESS3-1 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will explore how technology can solve environmental challenges by designing systems to clean and conserve water, connecting engineering solutions to real-world problems.
5-ESS2-2 (Earth’s Systems): Students will describe how water moves through Earth’s systems and incorporate this understanding into their designs for managing water resources, such as creating rain collection and purification models.
Elements of S.T.E.A.M.
Science:
The foundation of this lesson is the exploration of water scarcity and its causes. Students will learn about the science behind water filtration, including the different types of filtration methods and their effectiveness in removing contaminants. Understanding the science of water scarcity and filtration systems will allow students to make informed decisions as they design their solutions.
Technology:
In the context of this lesson, students will investigate the various technologies used in water filtration systems, such as solar-powered purification devices or advanced filtration materials. They will also learn about innovative and sustainable technologies being developed to address water scarcity issues. This knowledge will inspire students to incorporate technology into their designs and consider how technology can be harnessed to solve real-world problems.
Engineering:
Designing and building a water filtration system prototype requires students to apply engineering principles. They will need to consider the mechanics, materials, and construction of their filtration systems to create a functional and effective design. This hands-on experience will expose students to engineering concepts and encourage them to think critically and creatively about problem-solving.
Art:
The art component of this lesson is evident in the visual communication of ideas. Students will create sketches or diagrams of their water filtration systems, which requires artistic skills to effectively represent their designs. This process allows students to express their creativity and develop their visual communication abilities. Additionally, the construction of the prototype can also be seen as an artistic endeavor, with students encouraged to be resourceful and imaginative in their use of materials.
Mathematics:
The design process for the water filtration systems will require students to use math skills, such as measuring, calculating dimensions, and determining the proportions of various components. Students might also need to consider the rate of water flow or the effectiveness of their filtration system in removing contaminants. By incorporating math into the design process, students will see the practical application of mathematical concepts and understand their importance in problem-solving and real-world situations.
Conclusion & Assessment
Grade 3:
Grade 3 teachers can focus on the basic principles of water filtration and how they connect to the broader water cycle. Encourage students to explore different types of water sources (e.g., rivers, lakes, and oceans) and the ways that these sources contribute to the water cycle. Emphasize the importance of conserving water and using it efficiently.
Grade 4:
Grade 4 teachers can delve deeper into the engineering aspects of water filtration systems. Encourage students to consider various factors that can influence the effectiveness of their designs, such as the type of contaminants present in the water and the specific needs of the communities they are designing for. Discuss the role of technology in improving water filtration and the importance of sustainable solutions.
Grade 5:
Grade 5 teachers can focus on the interdependencies of the different components of water filtration systems and the broader environmental implications of water scarcity. Encourage students to think critically about the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to water scarcity and the importance of equitable water management practices. Discuss the role of innovative technologies and approaches in addressing these complex challenges.
Lesson 4: You Have the Power! Be Part of the Water Solution!
Wrap up the unit with an inspiring message about the power each of us has to make a difference. Enjoy a lively music video that celebrates water conservation, and engage in an outdoor activity that connects your students with nature. Together, you’ll discover practical steps you can take in your community to protect this vital resource and promote sustainable water management!
Music Video
Video 10: “Turn Off the Water!” Music Video
“Turn Off the Water” is an energetic, upbeat song showcasing some simple ways kids can be part of the solution right now – at home and at school – simply by turning off the water when they’re not using it. Use this song to introduce the concept of water conservation before embarking on the outdoor lesson plan.
After the Video: Class Discussion Topics
How can students like you get involved in raising awareness about water scarcity and promoting sustainable water use practices in your school and community?
What are some ideas for projects or initiatives that you could start or participate in?
Water Scavenger Hunt — Outdoor Activity Lesson Plan
This outdoor scavenger hunt lesson plan is designed to engage students in grades 3-5 with hands-on exploration of water conservation practices and their real-world applications. Through age-appropriate activities, students will investigate their local environment, identify examples of water use and conservation, and critically evaluate human impacts on water resources. Younger students will focus on observing how water supports plants, animals, and people, while older students will analyze and propose solutions to water-related challenges, such as waste and poor management. By connecting outdoor learning to broader environmental and scientific concepts, this lesson empowers students of all ages to understand the importance of water conservation and take meaningful steps toward protecting this vital resource.
Lesson Standards Alignment
3-ESS2-1 (Earth’s Systems): Students will collect evidence of weather patterns, such as rainfall or evaporation, during the scavenger hunt and connect these patterns to water availability in their local environment.
3-ESS3-1 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will identify human activities that affect water conservation and propose practical solutions, such as reducing sprinkler use or using greywater for irrigation.
4-ESS2-2 (Earth’s Systems): Students will investigate how water interacts with the land during the scavenger hunt, such as observing erosion, runoff, or water absorption in soil, and discuss how these processes influence the environment.
4-ESS3-2 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will evaluate examples of water conservation technologies in the outdoor area, such as timed sprinklers or rain barrels, and discuss how these tools help reduce human impact on water resources.
5-ESS2-2 (Earth’s Systems): Students will use evidence from the scavenger hunt to describe how water moves through the environment, including observations of evaporation, condensation, and collection.
5-ESS3-1 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will connect their observations to the importance of conserving water and maintaining water quality, proposing methods to improve water use at home, school, or in their community.
3-5-ETS1-1 (Engineering Design): Students will define problems related to water waste or poor management in their outdoor area and brainstorm solutions, such as better irrigation systems or water collection methods.
Conclusion & Assessment
Grade 3:
For third grade, focus on the role of water in Earth's ecosystems. Encourage students to observe the plants and animals they find during the scavenger hunt and discuss how water is essential for their survival. Students can also look for evidence of the water cycle in action, such as condensation on leaves or signs of evaporation from a puddle. As a follow-up activity, have students create a simple model or diagram that illustrates the water cycle, highlighting the various ways in which water is conserved in nature.
Grade 4:
For fourth grade, emphasize the concept of human impact on water resources. Ask students to identify ways that people can help conserve water or improve water quality, both on the scavenger hunt list and through their own observations. As they share their findings, have them discuss the potential consequences of not conserving water and the importance of responsible water use. Following the activity, students can research a local water issue, such as a polluted river or low water levels in a reservoir, and brainstorm solutions to address the problem.
Grade 5:
For fifth grade, incorporate a focus on Earth's systems and how they interact. During the scavenger hunt, ask students to observe and discuss how the water-related items or scenarios they find are connected to other elements of the environment, such as soil, air, or living organisms. Students can also explore the role of water in weather patterns and how conserving water can help mitigate the effects of extreme weather events like droughts or floods. As a follow-up activity, students can create a concept map illustrating the connections between water, Earth's systems, and human activities, highlighting the importance of responsible water management.
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