Should I Drink It?

Overview

Students open with a video about polluted water and a reflection worksheet. In a scenario where they find jars of unknown water in an abandoned cabin, they judge drinkability in stages: by sight and smell, with water test kits and pH testing, and optionally with a coliform bacteria test. They compare readings to a drinking water reference sheet and rank the samples from safest to most contaminated. After learning about water quality factors and filtration methods such as microfiltration, boiling, mechanical filtering, and activated carbon, groups design, build, and evaluate a filter for sample wastewater, review other groups' designs, and present findings in an infographic. Engagement is one 47-minute period, exploration two to three 47-minute periods, and explanation two 47-minute periods.

Lesson Objectives

• Determine what effects pollution has on the water quality of drinking water.
• Investigate the chemical aspects of water samples.
• Investigate the coliform bacteria presence in water samples.
• Determine pH of several water samples.
• Evaluate a series of samples and assess ranking safest to most contaminated based on water quality measurements.
• Explore different methods for filtering water samples.
• Take on responsibility by taking on an active role in the design process and learn how to communicate, organize, and evaluate others.
• Design, construct, and evaluate a filter apparatus for water samples.
• Peer review other groups’ designs for filter apparatus.