Description
This lesson was taught to a 5th grade class in Chico, California. The students had previously learned about the water cycle and where water comes from. The students had previously learned about the engineering process through an introductory guided inquiry-based science unit. The goal of this unit was to engage students deeply in both science and engineering. After engaging in learning experiences that focused on the limited amount of freshwater in the world, the students constructed and tested a physical model using everyday materials that would create clean drinking water using the engineering process. Through this project, students became aware of human impact on water as a world resource and their potential personal impact through determining possible solutions to the limited availability of fresh drinking water based on available materials and resources.