Curated OER
Global Water Crisis
Assign ecologists one of five countries that struggle with access to clean water. They research the water crisis in that country and then present information to classmates. A handout was designed for each country, and a worksheet on...
Curated OER
Uses of Water
Students plan for a water shortage in their area. In this water instructional activity, students analyze water usage and plan and share a reduction plan. Groups share their results and calculate the averages. Students...
Curated OER
Social Justice-Water in Developing Countries
Students explore how water shortage affects everyday life. In this social justice lesson, students discuss information about water shortage in Ghana. A water shortage simulation/game is played in which a "Canadian" team starts with a...
Council for Economic Education
Tapped Dry: How Do You Solve a Water Shortage?
Learners, after evaluating different allocation methods for water, determine the costs and benefits of each method.
Curated OER
Traveling for Water
Students explore global water contamination and water shortage problems. In this geography/ecology lesson, students gain information about the lack of safe drinking water in many countries. Students read, use websites, and complete...
Curated OER
Not a Drop to Drink
Students explore potential issues of a water shortage. In this water conservation lesson, students brainstorm the many uses of water and what life would be like if there was not enough water available.
eSchool Today
E School Today: Your Cool Basics on Water Shortage
Despite seventy percent of the world's surface being covered with water, there is a potential shortage of this natural resource. Only a small percentage is fresh water and much of that is inaccessible or threatened. Learn about fresh...
Geographypods
Geographypods: Theme 3: Economic Development: Water Resources
This learning module looks at economic issues related to our water resources. Looks at how water is used by industry, the distribution and availability of water, water use footprint, domestic use of water, water shortages, and water...
Seeker
Seeker: Week of 8 4 14: What if California Runs Out of Water?
Learn about the potential effects of a water shortage on the state of California.
NASA
Nasa Earth Observatory: Natural Hazards: Crops and Drought
NASA's Earth Observatory offers photos of drought's effect on crops and vegetation. Images from Africa, India, Australia, and other areas, are accompanied by details on droughts' effects as well as references for further reading.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: The Habitable Planet: Water Resources
Learn about water as a precious resource in danger of being depleted. Understand the roles that overuse and agricultural use play in the sustainability efforts of this essential resource. Includes video. [28:25]
Other
Derm: Water Cycles and Catchments
Students develop an understanding of the water cycle and water catchments. This learning module is divided into introductory, developmental, and culminating activities, and also has several assessment strategies. Resource sheets...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Staying in Phoenix [Pdf]
"Staying in Phoenix" is a one page, nonfiction, reading passage about how settlers solved the water shortage problem for growing crops. It is followed by questions which require students to provide evidence from the story; it includes:...
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: Drought
General information about droughts includes how to determine when a drought begins and what areas of the United States they are most likely to occur.
Other
Waterwise: Every Last Drop
Every Last Drop is an interactive website which takes a detailed look at how much water we waste on a daily basis and how small changes can make a big difference.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Drought
The unit teaches students to interpret climate data to recognize the symptoms and evaluate the severity of drought. It helps them realize that drought can still devastate areas that have stable infrastructure and access to expensive...
NASA
Nasa: Climate Kids: Satellites Show Water Underground
Find out about how groundwater is disappearing across Asia, and how NASA satellites are helping scientists work on fixing the problem.
Other
Water Use It Wisely: Links and Resources for Water Conservation
A comprehensive reference page with numerous links to water conservation resources. On your quest to begin your own water preservation program, you can reach clean water organizations, read water conservation tips, research landscape...
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Tapped Dry: How Do You Solve a Water Shortage?
Economists do not operate in a vacuum. If an economist is going to suggest that the price of a good needs to be increased, he or she needs to consider who will bear the increase in costs. Will the costs be distributed equally or will one...
Other
Circle of Blue: National Security Assessment: Water Scarcity Disrupts Continents
Read this U.S. State Department report which finds a global confrontation between growing water demand and shrinking supplies, in addition to predictions for the next thirty years of water security.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Water Distribution
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How water is distributed throughout the world.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Water Distribution
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How water is distributed throughout the world.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Water Distribution
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses how water is distributed throughout the world. Includes research assignment.