NASA
Cleaning Water
From their sweat to the water vapor in their breath, astronauts recycle every possible drop of water while in space. After watching a short video describing the different ways materials are recycled and reused in space shuttles, young...
May Media Group
Treatment Plants
Young scientists explore nature's water treatment plants in this simple science demonstration. By placing a stalk of celery in a cup of water mixed with food coloring, children are able to observe how plants absorb nutrients and...
Curated OER
Working With Environmental Issues
Students consider the source of disease and parasites in West Africa. In this environmental issues lesson, students read "Working with Environmental Issues," by Fred Koehler. Students participate in an activity that requires students to...
Curated OER
WHO Wants Clean Water! Do You? Solving Conflicts Over International Water Rights Issues
Students examine the water rights on an international scale. In this social studies lesson, students research on a specific water rights issue. They write a paper about their findings and create a PowerPoint presentation which they share...
Curated OER
Filtering Water
Students investigate the need for filtered water. In this filtered water lesson, students explore the health hazards posed from consuming unfiltered water. Students construct a water filtration device.
Curated OER
Water Treatment Plant
Second graders create their own water treatment system. In this water treatment activity, 2nd graders create the water treatment system and record how it works. Students list materials they used and write about what they saw. Students...
Curated OER
Keeping our Water Clean
Second graders discuss how our actions impact the quality of water. In this environmental science lesson, 2nd graders watch a short film and discuss the problem of polluted water. Students are then divided into groups and record their...
Curated OER
Do You Waste Water?
In this water usage learning exercise, students will keep track of how much water is used in their home over a weekend. Students will use a chart showing the average amount of water used for different activities to calculate how much...
Curated OER
Is It Safe To Go In? Water Quality of Bathing Areas in the EU
Students complete an experiment on water to study water quality. In this water quality lesson, students complete a taste test experiment about chemicals in water. Students then study their local water environments and recorded toxins....
Curated OER
Clean Water vs. Dirty Water
Students study the importance of clean water to the survival of organisms and what activiities and material pollute water. They measure the temperature of water samples and create a class graph.
Curated OER
World-Water Hero
Students explore why clean water is essential. In this environmental lesson, students identify the "powers" we need to improve the quality of water. Students share their descriptions of world-water superheroes.
Curated OER
Water Pollution
First graders investigate what causes water pollution and conduct a water pollution experiment. They listen to the story "What Polluted the Potomac?," and during the story pour small containers of dirty water into a large container at...
Curated OER
Clean Water and World Water Day
Students investigate World Water Day in relation to clean water that should be used responsibly. They create lists of ten things they use water for and compare their answers in small groups. They research a documentary for World Water...
Curated OER
River and Us (A)
Students define and demonstrate proper use of common good, preserve (as in clean water) and public good as applicable to clean water.
Curated OER
Cleansing, Sparkling Koos
Students explore the importance of water conservation and investigate how plants clean water.
Other
Wet in the City: A Recipe for Clean Water [Pdf]
In this hands-on lesson, students will examine the labels on common household products to determine what hazardess chemicals they contain, then test less toxic alternatives to see their affects on water quality. Students will also gain...
Other
Global Citizen Corps
This youth organization is committed to fighting global poverty. The site requires registration in order to access the tools it provides for young people wanting to make a difference. But there is plenty of information on issues such as...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Saltwater Circuit
Students build a saltwater circuit, which is an electrical circuit that uses saltwater as part of the circuit. Students investigate the conductivity of saltwater, and develop an understanding of how the amount of salt in a solution...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Water Desalination Plant
Students use a thermal process approach to design, build and test a small-scale desalination plant that is capable of significantly removing the salt content from a saltwater solution. Students use a saltwater circuit to test the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Save a Life, Clean Some Water!
Student teams practice water quality analysis through turbidity measurement and coliform bacteria counts. They use information about water treatment processes to design prototype small-scale water treatment systems and test the influent...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Would You Drink That?
This activity focuses on getting students to think about bacteria, water quality and water treatment processes. Students develop and test their hypotheses about the "cleanliness" of three water samples prepared by the teacher. Then they...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Grow Your Own Algae!
Students discover how tiny microscopic plants can remove nutrients from polluted water. They also learn how to engineer a system to remove pollutants faster and faster by changing the environment for the algae.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Ocean Water Desalination
Students learn about the techniques engineers have developed for changing ocean water into drinking water, including thermal and membrane desalination. They begin by reviewing the components of the natural water cycle. They see how...
Other
Project Wet Water Education for Teachers
Non-profit education program dedicated to increasing awareness of water resources through classroom activities and hands-on experience. Lesson plans designed for K-12 students. Site available in English, Spanish, and French.