Water Scarcity Next Generation Science Standards Alignment

K-ESS3-1 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will use observations of local environments to identify how water is essential for plants, animals, and humans. They will learn how clean water supports life and explore simple ways to conserve it.

K-ESS3-3 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will communicate solutions to reduce water waste, such as turning off the tap when not in use, by observing how water is used in daily life.

1-ESS1-2 (Earth’s Place in the Universe): Students will use weather observations, such as rainfall, to understand how water cycles through the environment and supports life on Earth.

2-ESS2-1 (Earth’s Systems): Students will investigate the role of water in shaping the land and supporting life, exploring the importance of clean water sources like rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

2-ESS2-3 (Earth’s Systems): Students will analyze how water moves through different areas by exploring simple models of the water cycle, helping them understand evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

3-LS4-3 (Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity): Students will identify how access to water impacts the survival of plants and animals, focusing on water availability and its role in ecosystems.

3-ESS2-1 (Earth’s Systems): Students will explore climate and weather patterns, such as droughts, and how they affect the availability of water in local and global contexts.

3-ESS3-1 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will evaluate how human activities like pollution and deforestation impact water resources and discuss solutions for sustainable water use.

4-ESS2-2 (Earth’s Systems): Students will observe and analyze the role of water in weathering and erosion, highlighting how water moves and changes Earth’s surface.

4-ESS3-2 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will investigate how water conservation technologies, such as rain barrels, contribute to reducing human impacts on water availability.

5-ESS2-2 (Earth’s Systems): Students will describe the movement of water in Earth’s systems through models of the water cycle, emphasizing how precipitation, evaporation, and runoff interact.

5-ESS3-1 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will explore the role of technology in improving water management and ensuring access to clean water for communities.

3-5-ETS1-1 (Engineering Design): Students will define water scarcity problems and propose solutions, considering real-world constraints and criteria for success.

3-5-ETS1-2 (Engineering Design): Students will develop and compare water filtration designs to determine which system best removes impurities and conserves resources.

6-MS-ESS2-4 (Earth’s Systems): Students will model the water cycle to explain how energy from the sun and the force of gravity drive water’s movement through Earth’s systems.

6-MS-ESS3-3 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will analyze data on water scarcity to describe how human activities and natural processes influence the availability of clean water.

7-MS-LS2-5 (Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics): Students will explore how changes in water availability can disrupt ecosystems, focusing on the interconnectedness of water with food chains and habitats.

7-MS-ESS3-4 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will construct arguments based on evidence about how solutions like water filtration systems and rain harvesting can reduce human impacts on water systems.

8-MS-ETS1-1 (Engineering Design): Students will identify criteria and constraints related to water scarcity challenges, designing innovative systems to address this global issue.

8-MS-ETS1-2 (Engineering Design): Students will evaluate water conservation and filtration technologies, comparing their effectiveness and sustainability in real-world applications.

8-MS-ESS3-5 (Earth and Human Activity): Students will analyze global data on water use and scarcity to identify patterns and predict future challenges, emphasizing the importance of equitable water management.