Students investigate the importance of valuing water as a precious resource, compare water use around the world, and take a tour of the pumping station.Key concepts
Water conservation and preservation, personal responsibility for action, the water cycle, aquifers, local freshwater systems.
Lesson description/intentions
From the aquifers through to our taps, students will discover how Christchurch residents access some of the world’s best water. During a visit to the water pumping station, students will compare Christchurch’s water usage with the rest of the world to see how much we waste. They will tour the pumping station to see the big water tank, water pumps and the old control room.
The programme winds up with a range of problem-solving and reinforcement activities.
Possible success criteria
Students may be able to:
- explain the terms water cycle and aquifer
- describe the course water takes before it comes out of a tap
- understand that no matter who or where we are that we depend on water
- explain reasons for conserving water
- identify actions they can take to support a sustainable water supply.
Key competencies
- Using language, symbols, and texts – students will investigate oral and visual texts and symbols to gain an understanding of the extent to which fresh water is a precious resource.
- Relating to others – students will explore and discuss different societies' access and attitudes to fresh water.
- Managing self – students are encouraged to justify the actions they will take as a result of the information and activities they are exposed to during the programme.
| Learning area | Strands | Curriculum level | Achievement objectives |
| Science | Nature of science | 2 to 4 |
|
| Science | Planet Earth and beyond | 2 to 8 |
|
| Social Sciences | 2 to 8 |
|
|
| Technology | Nature of technology | 2 to 8 |
|
| Health and physical education | Healthy communities and environments | 2 to 5 |
|
| Mathematics and statistics | Number knowledge Measurement Statistics |
2 to 8 |
|