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Rainwater Harvesting Native Garden Design: Changing Topography

A 9-12 grade STEM lesson

Brianne Loya

6/20/2023

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Notes for teachers

This design challenge was open for any interested students from grades 9-12.

Students met afterschool over the course of the second semester. This is the 3rd sequence lessons in a set of 4.

List of Materials

Contour Map Creator
Computer

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Standards

(Science)

HS.E1U1.12 Develop and use models of the Earth that explains the role of energy and matter in Earth’s constantly changing internal and external systems (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere).

HS+E.E1U1.5 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information of the effect of water on Earth’s materials, surface processes, and groundwater systems

Standards

(ELA)

9-10.SL.4 Present information, findings and supporting evidence clearly, concisely and logically such that listeners than follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.

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Objective:

Using our water budget calculations from lesson 2 to determine what techniques we plan to use to harvest our water.

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Agenda (lesson time)

Engage (10 minutes):

Passive Harvesting Video

Explore (45 minutes):

Topography Exploration

Explain (45 minutes):

Water-Harvesting Earthworks Research

Evaluate (45 minutes):

Water-Harvesting Earthworks Idea Share

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Engage- Passive Harvesting Video

Students watch a short video of where rain is collecting around a home. Students watch the video and independently complete a See-Think-Wonder chart based on what they are seeing. Students may wonder why water pools in some areas and not others.

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Explore- Topography Exploration

Students are placed into groups of 3-4 and each student group is provided a satellite map (using contour map creator)of a familiar space/space chosen by students or of your chosen garden space.

Students are instructed to add elevation contours to their area and then analyze.

Students determine in their groups where water will flow and where it might collect.

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Explain- Water-Harvesting Earthworks Research

In the same groups, students are given the choice to research various water-harvesting earthworks such as: berm and basin, terrace, french drain, infiltration basin, permeable paving, diversion swale, check dam and vegetation. Student groups research their technique and create a slideshow to summarize their findings.

Specifically, slides should include:

Picture of technique
How the technique works in a rainwater harvesting system
Would it be useful to our school native garden and if so, how?

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Evaluation-Water-Harvesting Earthworks Idea Share

Students share out their groups’ research with other small groups. Student groups should all start imagining and discussing if these ideas would work in our space.

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Differentiation

Place your students in groups based on the amount of scaffolding needed. Students who require more scaffolding can be grouped together and guided through the creation of contour map using the linked website. Students who are not in need of as much support in the process or who would benefit from the challenge of figuring it out can be grouped together.

Collaborative Groups