In the module Cleaning Water, students investigate some of the contaminants that can get into drinking water, discover how chemical tests can reveal some of the impurities that contaminate the water supply, and learn how some contaminants can be removed by special types of filters. During the module, students role-play the part of marketing employees for a water filter company. They also conduct research on different types of drinking water contaminants. They use map skills and the concept of a watershed to determine where impurities could have entered the water supply. They also test water samples for a variety of impurities and experiment with different types of filtering materials to determine their effect on impure water samples.
Students then design, build, and test a filter for the home market.
In the final activity, they present a marketing plan for each other's filters. Cleaning Water is a 3-week module divided into 6 activities, which each take between 2 and 3 class periods to complete. A narrative section at the end of the module provides background information for students on water pollution and water testing. The wraparound teacher's guide includes a unit overview, a time line for completing the module, a materials list, background information, and teaching suggestions. Structure of the earth system.