Case Study: The Flint Water Crisis
American Government: Power, Identity, and Belonging
Unit 1, IQ1, Formative Task D
Dr. Tere Ceseña Bontempo
Overview
This lesson invites students to analyze the role of government in protecting public health through the case of the Flint Water Crisis. After previewing key themes in a short article, students examine concepts of accountability, systemic inequality, and civic action through discussion and reflection. The lesson concludes with a creative task that positions students as youth advocates imagining solutions and driving change.
Topic: Government Accountability and Public Health�Students explore the consequences of government failure through the lens of the Flint Water Crisis, examining how power, policy, and civic responsibility intersect.
Target: Students will be able to understand how local, state, and federal government decisions shape public outcomes, and how civic engagement can hold these institutions accountable.
Text: “Our Water Was Poison”
(Junior Scholastic article on the Flint Water Crisis)
Task
Students will annotate the article for evidence of government action, inaction, and public response; engage in a discussion using targeted prompts; and complete a written reflection or civic action product such as a public service announcement, letter to a policymaker, or social media call-to-action.
To learn more about this lesson and explore the SDUSD ethnic studies Gov/Econ resources, visit https://bit.ly/ESGRGOVECON