Ideas, lesson plans, story books, activities all in this blog.
Monday 3/22 is Water Day. You can find more about Water Day here
https://www.worldwaterday.org/
Did you know that there is a Sustainable Development Goal Dedicated to water- Goal 6 talks about “Clean Water and Sanitation” https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/
Many countries have pledged that “ By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all”. Do you think we/countries will achieve this goal?
Water is a precious resource, what are some of your ideas to conserve water–
- Turn off the tap when it’s not in use. …
- Soak your dishes in warm water first. …
- Run your dishwasher and laundry only when its full. …
- Cut those long showers short. …
- Use energy-efficient, water-saving devices. …
- Use a water softener to tackle hard water problems. …
- Fix plumbing leaks. …
- Go easy on your sprinklers and gardening hose.
Here are some more ideas https://www.culligannation.com/10-ways-to-conserve-water-sustainable-living/
Story Books:
Here is a book on water conversation https://www.culligannation.com/10-ways-to-conserve-water-sustainable-living/ Michaela Goade is the first Native American to win the Caldecott Medal for her illustrations in “We Are Water Protectors.” – CNN
Maybe you can ask your school to get it for your school library?
Type in “water” and you will find 625 story books free on water. https://storyweaver.org.in/search?query=Water
Nya’s Long Walk (recommended by Ms Adams, Wyoming School)
This story is about 2 sisters who live in South Sudan and the trials and tribulations of walking far distances to receive water. It always sparks interesting and insightful discussions about how fortunate we are to have clean drinking water so accessible. It’s a great book!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZvgsh0TLhA
Teachers do you want lesson ideas on water?
You could type “water” and the “age group” and a lesson on water will pop up appropriate to the age group. https://worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/resources/
Learn more about Water Crises
Here are two water foundations that you should know about. They work on water and sanitation issues globally.
https://water.org/our-impact/water-crisis/
https://www.paanifoundation.in
YOU can do it too.
There was acute water scarcity in their village and the children decided to create a canal with check dams to store surface water. They worked extremely hard to get the funds donated for this through various means.
https://dfcworld.com/VIDEO/ViewVideo/213
Lecture on Water (for high schoolers)
High fluoride in water is a huge problem in many parts of the world. Listen to this lecture here.
Student research (high school)
Science for Everyday Decisions series Center for Sustainable Development Earth Institute, Columbia University Video #18: A Prototype Citizen-Science Microplastics Sampling
Protocol to Quantify the Magnitude of Pollution Along a Community Beachfront Spencer Feehan is a senior at Plainedge High School. He conducted a microplastics research with science research advising from his teacher Mr. William Bertolotti, and research and lab advising by Dr. Joaquim Goes of the Earth Institute, Columbia University. With the local beachfront samples Spencer collected, he examined them at Dr.Goes’ lab, to investigate the magnitude of local microplastics issue. His research has inspired junior students to continue the microplastics research, and take up various dimensions of the microplastics issues for investigation. Other students’ research will be featured in the future Science for Everyday Decisions series.
Stay tuned on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkZHqp2zW-VUbmcWFdaKQ-g/videos Eco Ambassador Program based out of the education team of Center for Sustainable Development, Earth Institute, Columbia University
Simple activities on Water (Recommended by Ms Lori Princiotto, Glenwood school)
https://handsonaswegrow.com/flower-garden-kids/
Kids talk to your parents about the Lawn Problem
In the United States, lawns are so ubiquitous that to my young eye (and many others) they seemed to be almost a basic human right. That’s a serious problem, given the enormous resources that our North American lawn-fetish consumes.
https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2010/06/04/the-problem-of-lawns/
Festival on Water? Wait what….
Holi Festival is a festival of colors played with water. It is just around the order Sunday 28th March.
https://time.com/5799354/what-is-holi/