safe water science Downloads
Each free-to-download lesson is designed to address specific National Science Standards.
The purpose of these lessons is to provide science educators with a set of activities to enhance the existing science curriculum. The content is meant to raise public awareness about water quality issues facing our world. Within each lesson, you will find a balance of hands-on activities, cooperative learning situations, multi-media resources, and research opportunities for your students. These lessons use inexpensive, everyday materials.
For each lesson, a teacher’s guide and a student activity pages have been provided for you. The teacher’s guide includes the National Science Standards addressed by the lesson, specific instructions about the lesson, suggested responses to student questions, and additional resources related to the activity. Student activity pages are to be copied and distributed to your students. Although the lessons were written to be taught as a unit, each lesson can be taught alone.
We thank you for your interest in these lessons. Our hope is that you find them useful and easy to understand and implement in your classroom.
Lesson 1
Consequences of Drinking Unsafe Water
Part 1
Students explore water quality issues around the world by researching a waterborne illness and sharing results with the class.
Part 2
Students experience through a hands-on activity how easily illnesses are spread when contaminated water is consumed.
Download Lesson 1
Includes teacher’s guide & student activity pages.
Lesson 2
Treatment of Water
In an inquiry-based activity, students work in teams to design, build, and test a simple filter. Students choose filtration materials from a selection of possible materials, such as sand, pebbles, and activated charcoal. The filter is similar to that used by many local water treatment facilities in the developed world.
Download Lesson 2
Includes teacher’s guide & student activity pages.
Lesson 3
Availability of Clean Water
Part 1
Students learn about the availability of water in the developing world through a water-hauling activity.
Part 2
Students evaluate their own personal daily use of water.
Download Lesson 3
Includes teacher’s guide & student activity pages.
Lesson 4
Making Water Safe to Drink
Part 1
In a hands-on activity, students perform the first steps in purifying water.
Part 2
Through a teacher-led activity, students observe how the PUR Purifier of Water product is providing clean, safe drinking water in developing countries and disaster areas around the world. Students learn how the PUR product satisfies all of the steps of water purification.
Download Lesson 4
Includes teacher’s guide & student activity pages.
Lesson 1-4
Appendix
The appendix contains supplemental material for all four lessons, including:
• Data sheets on waterborne illnesses
• History sheets on topics such as Typhoid Mary
• Technical data on coagulation and disinfection
• Glossary of key words
for grade schoolers
Fun With Walter Waterdrop!
For younger students, download Fun With Walter Waterdrop! Kids learn abouit global water issues while completing mazes, seek-a-word and crossword puzzles. PDF download includes answer key.
Overview of lessons
Each Safe Water Science Lesson:
- Addresses scientific and societal issues related to global safe drinking water problems
- Teaches a method used to solve these problems
- Helps students develop an awareness of safe drinking water issues in our world today
- Addresses National Science Standards
- Contains hands-on activities, cooperative-learning experiences, multi-media resources, and research opportunities
- Uses inexpensive, everyday materials
- Explores social action extensions, allowing students to apply the science they learn to the world in which they live
Order kits
Safe Water Science's lessons and activities use inexpensive, common materials that can be purchased at local grocery and pet supply stores.
However, kits containing supplies needed to conduct the lessons with 6 classes of 32 students each can be ordered for only $50. Click here for details on how to order.
