Big Idea
Summary
Identifying the problems, finding solutions and taking responsibility for implementing a plan is key to protecting and restoring the health of our waterways.
Engage
Identifying the problem
Review: What are the problems with impermeable surfaces in our city?
Recall the effects of impermeable surfaces on our water quality here in Philadelphia from prior knowledge or observation.
The slide deck will help facilitate a review of the key points for this learning experience.
Complete the following sentence:
“In heavy rain events, impermeable surfaces contribute to…”
If you want to spend more time (at least one more class period) doing some hands-on exploration, check out the Rain to Drain : Slow the Flow resource created by Penn State Extension and Pennsylvania 4-H . Explore their in-depth teacher guide and instructions on how to put together your own hands-on model (they sell the complete kit too!) .
Explore and Explain
Pair, Share
Students can meet in small groups to combine the lists they’ve made answering the question: What are the problems with impermeable surfaces in our city? Then you can facilitate a share-out and discussion.
You may want to select 3 of the problems listed to explore more deeply. Students can generate possible solutions.
Elaborate
Guiding Question:
Whose job was it (and is it) to address all these problems?
Many agencies and organizations are responsible for monitoring the quality of our water.
The slide deck will guide students through an overview of the federal, state, and local agencies working on solutions.
Teacher Support
Essential Question:
How can we create a healthy, beautiful, and sustainable Philadelphia for everyone?
Guiding Questions:
Engage
What are the problems with impermeable surfaces in our city?
Explore and Explain
How are all these problems connected?
Elaborate
Whose job was it (and is it) to address all these problems?
What did they do?
Students will be able to:
Recall the effects of impermeable surfaces on our water quality here in Philadelphia (jigsaw, carrousel).
Complete the following sentence: “In heavy rain events, impermeable surfaces contribute to:”
Write a reflection addressing the following prompts:
– What are the problems associated with impermeable surfaces in our city?
– How are all these connected to each other and to our health and the health of the waterways?
BASIC TERMS
Combined Sewer Overflow noun
Combined sewer systems are sewers that are designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. Most of the time, combined sewer systems transport all of their wastewater to a sewage treatment plant, where it is treated and then discharged to a water body. During periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt, however, the wastewater volume in a combined sewer
Absorption noun
The process or action by which one thing soaks up or is soaked up by another.
Infiltration noun
The process of passing into or through a substance by filtering.
Infrastructure noun
The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or business.
Pervious/Impervious adjective
(of a substance) allowing water to pass through or not pass through
Porous adjective
Having tiny holes.
Stormwater Runoff noun
Water from rain or melting snow that “runs off” across the land instead of seeping into the ground. Generally speaking, stormwater is rain (also melting snow and ice) that washes off driveways, parking lots, roads, yards, rooftops, and other hard surfaces.
Transpiration noun
Process where plants absorb water through the roots and then give off water vapor through pores in their leaves.
Mitigation noun
The act of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something
Osmosis noun
Movement of a solvent (as water) through a semipermeable membrane (as of a living cell) into a solution of higher solute concentration that tends to equalize the concentrations of solute on the two sides of the membrane.
Recall the effects of impermeable surfaces on our water quality here in Philadelphia.
Complete the following sentence: In heavy rain events, impermeable surfaces contribute to..
Write a reflection addressing the following prompts: What are the problems associated with impermeable surfaces in our city? (please list as many as you can recall, and then choose three to explore more deeply.) How are all these connected to each other and to our health and the health of the waterways?
PA STEELS Standards
Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
3.4.6-8.G Sustainability and Stewardship: Obtain and communicate information to describe how best resource management practices and environmental laws are designed to achieve environmental sustainability.
3.4.6-8.I Sustainability and Stewardship: Construct an explanation that describes regional environmental conditions and their implications on environmental justice and social equity.
Related Standards
EfS C.6 The Dynamics of Systems and Change – Identify simple and complex systems in everyday life by recognizing specific parts of these systems and describing their interdependence as well as the circular or causal connections among them.