Instructional Materials - Unit 5.1 Ecosystems & Matter Cycling

Water is essential for all living things, leading many cultures to proclaim, “Water Is Life.” In this unit, students investigate natural water systems to determine whether they are healthy or unhealthy, considering different species' needs and exploring ways to improve water quality. Students begin by analyzing four water samples (Lake, Pool, Metallic, and Rain Water) and creating models to explain what might make them healthy or unhealthy. They observe properties to identify materials in the water and design a filter to remove visible contaminants. However, they realize that some unhealthy particles remain. To further purify the water, students explore heating methods. They test boiling and analyze second-hand data, discovering that boiling works for only one sample. They then investigate solar stills as another separation method, but the process proves slow. Looking at large-scale solutions, students research water treatment methods and experiment with adding substances to remove contaminants. Finally, students apply their knowledge of science and engineering to design solutions for a real-world water issue, with opportunities to address local concerns. Through hands-on investigation, they develop strategies to improve water quality for different purposes. The material is distributed in accordance with the CC BY-NC. See details at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/