In this unit, students investigate the need to manage water in California as both a phenomenon to explain and a problem to solve. In doing so, students develop a foundational understanding of California’s water supply systems, investigate the environmental, social, and economic factors that influence water management decisions, and reflect on ways to improve water management and ensure a sustainable water future for California.
While investigating water management in California, students will define the problem of needing to manage water sustainably, identify affected parties, and determine criteria and constraints for a solution. Students then ask questions about the factors that contribute to the water management problem and about potential solutions. This includes analyzing case studies and data to identify causes of the water management challenges, including aspects of water supply systems and climate-related causes. Students will evaluate the effects of past water management strategies, such as the Klamath River Dams and the Los Angeles Aqueduct, then engage in critical conversations about environmental justice issues related to water management. Using the class consensus final explanatory model, the unit culminates with students developing an action plan for addressing the water management problem in California.
Want to talk through the lesson plans? Need support customizing a unit for your classroom?
Drop into office hours on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 4:00-5:00pm PT for free support from Holly or another Seeds to Solutions team member.
“From my students: ‘Thank you for teaching us this lesson because if you didn’t it would be bad for our environment.’ ‘This was awesome! Can you do more? Thank you!’ ‘Thank you for helping us in taking care of the environment.'”
“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.”
“I truly enjoyed teaching this. It has been heartwarming to see them care about other living things and the environment.”
“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.”
“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.'”
“Students really wanted to share their food traditions and look into how climate change might affect their food traditions.”
“This lesson brought in cultural stories from the original people who inhabited California. This is a perspective that is not often taught in science. I think that the kids liked having science be a little less facts and figures and more story.”
“Students really enjoyed the hands-on activity. They were very interested to learn about the different pollutants that they’ve never heard of. It also developed their curiosity about air quality and pollution. It was an eye-opener for some that they are able to see what is mostly ‘unseen’ by everyone.”
“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!”
“I am so amazed and impressed by the depth of resources that you embedded in the teacher guide. This is really well put together.”
“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.”
“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.”
Mackenzie Clark, Curriculum Developer
Brianna Reilly, Curriculum Developer
Logan Schmidt, Curriculum Developer
Tiffany Baca, Metropolitan Water District of Orange County
Nina Barcelli, Science Educator
Jean Flanagan, BSCS
Dina Gilio-Whitaker, CSU, San Marcos
Monica Maynard, Montebello USD
Milton Reynolds, Steering Committee
Karen Swan, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Matt Ellinger, Designer
Sara Krauskopf, Curriculum Developer
Stacey Lane, Illustrator
Susan Lyons, Development Editor
Ladie Malek, Development Editor
Josh Paschedag, Curriculum Developer
Laura Tucker, Science Educator
Craig Manges, Lemoore Union HSD
Katherine Morris, The Waverly School
Perri Rios-Dominguez, Salinas UHSD
Noel Rohland, Mt. Diablo USD
