In this unit, students investigate the water shortage in California as both a phenomenon to explain and a problem to solve. Students begin by defining the problem of water shortage and identifying all of the parties who are affected. This prompts students to wonder about solutions to water shortages and ways to meet water needs in communities across the state. Students investigate rainfall and compare it to water use. They also explore the water supply system, from dams and reservoirs, to aqueducts to transport water between regions.
Students analyze case studies and data to identify causes of the water shortage. They also evaluate the effects of past water management strategies, such as the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the Klamath River Dams. In doing so, students investigate the environmental, social, and economic factors that influence water management decisions, and reflect on solutions to improve water management and ensure a sustainable water future for California. The unit culminates with students developing an action plan for addressing the water shortage in their own community.
“WOW! What incredible and engaging lessons to do with my students. They loved this opportunity to be scientists, explore and think about the food they eat, and I loved the ways that they began to model. I am so excited about these lessons and cannot wait to share them with my coworkers.”
“Students were curious and continue to be curious. They are more aware of their surroundings than before and continue to point out observations daily.”
“The message that there are solutions to help us combat climate change and that people are working together to solve problems helped students stay in a place of curiosity; they didn’t show anxiety over the content.”
“For my students who may not engage with abstract concepts, the real-life relevance of turning waste into soil for growing plants offers a clear, meaningful goal that they can understand and feel proud to participate in.”
“What I find interesting is that students are discussing the material outside of class time. I heard students discussing the ideas before class in the hallways and even during lunch periods.”
“I love how the data was more interactive and chunked into smaller pieces. I also like how there was a way to bring all the knowledge and wondering back to come up with a conclusion to the problem.”
“I have learned ways to improve my teaching, and I have been at this for 38 years. The students are gaining a deeper understanding of what climate change is: what causes climate change, and the impact of climate change on crop yield.”
“I heard comments like, ‘I didn’t realize how much climate change affects my community,’ and, ‘This project made me think about what I can do to help.'”
“Using the maps and seeing things like schools and how close they are to hazards is really cool. They may not be super connected personally, but they can put themselves in the shoes of other kids and try to relate. I know it’s working because I have a kid that just watches Netflix all day, every day and he pulled out his earbud and participated!”
“They’ve never thought about stuff like this before, and now they’re sharing it. One girl said this was the only class that she went home and talked to her parents about.”
“The kids become more engaged because now they are actually actively doing things. They’re really having to look for themselves. It’s not given to them on a platter, but all the resources are right there.”
“Every lesson was so thoroughly designed, the case study design book was beautifully organized, and it helped to give my class a real-life understanding of how college/graduate-level academic research works. Being able to connect their research back to environmental issues they actually experience was simply icing on the cake. Well done!”
Ipsum dolor
Ipsum dolor
Ipsum dolor
Ipsum dolor
Ipsum dolor
Ipsum dolor
Ipsum dolor
Ipsum dolor
You’ll get news on Seeds to Solutions and environmental literacy from Ten Strands
© 2025 San Mateo County Office of Education and Ten Strands | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Notifications
