Rainwater Project

Overview

Students investigate how green and gray infrastructure can be combined to address drought and repair aging infrastructure in sustainable, cost-efficient ways. After hearing a guest scientist discuss climate change and natural disasters, they research the difference between the two infrastructure types and the advantages and disadvantages of using rainwater, drawing on at least three articles and a video. Groups share findings in a media presentation, then design a rainwater collection apparatus, such as a barrel for gardening, that combines both. The class builds or recommends one to three designs, tests them or provides supporting data, and presents them to students, parents, administrators, experts, and community partners.

Lesson Objectives

• Determine the advantages of combining green and gray infrastructure to repair/rebuild old infrastructure in sustainable, cost efficient ways by designing a rainwater collection apparatus (barrel) that combines green and gray infrastructure to use in gardening. CENTRAL FOCUS By the end of this unit the students will be able to: a. Determine the difference between green and gray infrastructure b. Determine the impact of using only gray infrastructure on the environment. c. Determine the advantages of combining green and gray infrastructure to repair/rebuild old infrastructure in sustainable, cost efficient ways. d. Design a rainwater collection apparatus (barrel) that combines green and gray infrastructure to use in gardening that will be sustainable and cost efficient. e. Build and test a rainwater collection apparatus that combines green and gray infrastructure to use in gardening that will be both sustainable and cost efficient.