Water Use

Human Use of Resources—Water Use

Summary: How much water do we use? By exploring online water use resources and conducting personal surveys at home and in the classroom, students will gain an understanding of how humans utilize water resources.

Concepts to teach: Water use, resource, conservation

Goals: Students will gain a better understanding of the ways water resources are utilized in residential, industrial, and agricultural settings. They will gain an appreciation for the amount of water used for various activities in the community.

Standards:
S3.3S.1, S3.3S.2
S4.2L.1
S4.3S.1, S4.3S.2
S5.3S.1
SS.05GE.07

Specific Objectives:

1. Calculate personal water use at home and school.
2. Describe how much water is used in three different human activities.
3. Identify three ways water might be wasted.

Activity Links and Resources:

• USGS Water Use in the United States, 2010 data
  • This resource is useful for developing inquiry studies which allow students to discover through research or personal data collection the amounts of water used for various human activities.
  • It contains multiple links to summaries, data tables and maps show how water resources were used in 2005. Water use is differentiated by category.
  • The Activity Center portion of the website provides several online inquiry lessons:
    • As mayor, how would you save water?
    • How much water do you use at home?
    • How much water does it take to grow a hamburger?
    • How much water does a dripping faucet waste?
• Another water use calculator is available from The Water Conservation School website.

Assessment:

• Create a worksheet or classroom document on which students predict how much water is used for various human activities. Revisit the document at the end of the learning period and make adjustments as needed. Students may share their findings with the class through a written or oral report.