These learning experiences are designed for the elementary grade band 3-5. They provide an opportunity for you to connect your students to one of the most fundamental elements in all living things– WATER! They will grow to love and value water — this shared (and finite) resource upon which all life depends.
Students will explore larger concepts related to water using their local context . Each day’s lessons are aligned with the Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Standards (3.4) of STEELS and are both hands-on and inquiry-based. Everything leads up to student-centered informed action and civic engagement
HOW DID OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT SHAPE WATER? How did the growth of the city as a manufacturing powerhouse end up shaping waterways in new ways. Many of Philadelphia’s stream went underground, captured in a network of drainage pipes that became our sewer system.
LAND AND WATER EXIST IN A DELICATE BALANCING ACT ? People and nature are interdependent and our choices and actions have intended and unintended consequences on the environment. It’s complicated !
WHY ARE ALL PARTS OF THE URBAN WATER USE CYCLE ESSENTIAL TO US? The urban water system exists as a cycle, just like the natural water is a cycle. In what we call the urban water use cycle, each part of the cycle is critical in the management of our urban water system. How do we get our clean water and where does it go when we’re done using it?
WHY IS THE SYSTEM FOR DRINKING WATER COLLECTION, FILTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION ESSENTIAL TO US? Learning how we get clean water when we turn on the faucet is tis an important step in understanding Philadelphia’s overall urban water system.
WHY IS CLEANING UP WATER GOING DOWN THE DRAIN ALSO ESSENTIAL TO US AND ALL LIVING THINGS ? We can reduce the impact of stormwater runoff pollution on our waterways and clean up what we flush — living in balance with nature and sustainably will protect our health and the health of our waterways.