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Where Does the Water Go? Calculating a Neighborhood Water Footprint

Where Does the Water Go? Calculating a Neighborhood Water Footprint

In this water conservation activity, students will have fun as they work in teams to calculate the water usage of the different households on Sunnybrook Circle, an imaginary neighborhood. They will discover, using the information and materials provided for them, if the water district has enough water to meet the demands or if water restrictions need to be put in place. Students will design and build a “pumping station” to meet the challenge of moving the water they need from the reservoir to their house. In addition to problem-solving, decision-making and creativity, students use interpersonal skills needed in STEM2D careers such as presenting ideas, negotiating, organizing and working as a collaborative team.

This activity typically takes 1 hour to complete and should be done in one session.

Where Does the Water Go? Calculating a Neighborhood Water Footprint is part of the STEM2D Student Activities Series. Content for this lesson was developed by the Smithsonian Science Education Center and layout was provided by FHI360 and JA Worldwide as part of Johnson & Johnson’s WiSTEM2D initiative (Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing, and Design). The series includes more than 10 interactive and fun, hands-on activities for girls (and boys), ages 7–18 globally.