Difference between revisions of "Spring water lesson plan"

Latest revision as of 17:06, 21 August 2014

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