View source for Spring water lesson plan

TITLE:
Where does the Sky Center's water come from?

AUTHOR:
Benjamin Blonder and Kirstin Neff

GOALS:
* Introduce water issues on Mt. Lemmon

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
* Understand the sources of water for Tucson and for Mt Lemmon
* Understand the reason only one shower per student per trip is permitted

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS:

Materials required
* Graduated cylinder or other volume-measuring instrument
* Timer

INTRODUCTION/ENGAGEMENT:
* On the meadow hike, stop at the spring between the fire lookout and the rock outcrops.
* Point out the spring, and let students know it is the only source for Mt Lemmon.

EXPLORATION
* Ask where this water comes from (groundwater, snowmelt) and if it is the same as Tucson's water (groundwater from runoff, and recharge from Colorado River)
* Ask students how much water is available per week at the site, and how to find out
* Measure the stream flow rate (volume per time) using the graduated cylinder and a timer, then use a whiteboard to calculate total flow per week
* Calculate how many shower and toilet flushes are possible given that a shower uses (~ 100 liters for 10 minutes) and a toilet uses (~ 8 liters per flush)

APPLICATION
* Discuss limitations on on-site water usage (one shower per student per week, yellow-mellow toilet policy)

ASSESSMENT
* Students will be able to calculate water available per student per day
* Students will be able to explain where Mt Lemmon's and Tucson's water comes from