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A STEAM Approach to Understanding Water Systems

Author(s): Kaitlin J Mattos1, Elizabeth Preza2

1. Fort Lewis College 2. El Paso Community College

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Summary:
Students will investigate their relationships to water through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) using a combination of science, art, and reflection and build new scientific skills to evaluate water quality and what is…

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Students will investigate their relationships to water through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) using a combination of science, art, and reflection and build new scientific skills to evaluate water quality and what is influencing it. Background information includes readings and classroom lectures about the water cycle, water systems, and point and nonpoint sources of pollution. Students will explore their connection to the different parts of the water cycle and local water systems using photography (i.e., the Photovoice method). Students will work in the field to examine maps and explore their surroundings to identify potential sources of point and nonpoint pollution. Students will use water quality tests to measure turbidity, nitrate, phosphate, and pH. Students will then reflect on their personal relationships with water, local maps, water quality results, and field experience to answer questions related to the water systems around them. The goal of this activity is to help students become familiarized with water systems, human influences on those systems, field analyses of water quality, and their personal relationships and influences on water.

Description

This resource includes the lesson plan and description of background information, field activities, and reflections that can be conducted with students. We also include a file of background information for instructors, lecture slides for a background classroom lecture before the field activities, and a blank lab report template that can accompany student learning. 

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