The Curriculum Project
The learning experiences presented here provide a complement of engaging lessons and activities, materials, rubrics and resources designed for the middle school student. With a quick log in option, it also offers formal and informal educators online access to join our Discussion Forum, an online forum for sharing ideas, successes and challenges.
In fall 2014, Fairmount Water Works launched a three year Middle School Teacher Fellowship Program to develop an integrated urban watershed curriculum for grades 6–8, aligned with core standards. This phase of the development and piloting of the curriculum was completed in June 2017. The 3-year project was supported by the William Penn Foundation and the Philadelphia Water Department.
Curriculum Units
The curriculum is made up of 6 units. Each unit is made up of individual Learning Experiences.
Unit 1
Water in Our World
What is the value of water?
Unit 2
Drinking Water & You
What does it take for us to drink a glass of fresh, clean, delicious water?
Unit 3
Down the Drain or Out of Sight, Out of Mind
What became of Philadelphia's natural streams and valleys?
Unit 4
Land and Water: A Delicate Balance
Can we create sustainable urban design solutions that work with the natural water cycle?
Unit 5
Green (and Blue) Plan for the Future: Playing a Part
Can we create a heathy, beautiful and sustainable Philadelphia?
Unit 6
Environmental Stewardship, Climate Change and Youth Action
What are we going to do to protect our watershed?