detail

Ready to Save The Planet?

Who Needs Water?

DURATION

Less than 30 Minutes

WHERE

From the comfort and safety of your own home

WHEN

Throughout the year

WHOSE HELP IS REQUIRED

Adult

HOW IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Youth-led initiatives help make changes that are long-term and sustainable. You have the power to make a difference!

DESCRIPTION

Learn about the ways we use water in our everyday lives. Play a simple game to discover what it means when the demand for water increases, but the available water supply decreases.

ITEMS NEEDED

  • Rain or Drought Table (located in lesson pdf)
  • 1 measuring cup
  • 1 tablespoon (Tbsp.)
  • 6 drinking cups of the same size (ones that you can write on!)
  • marker(s)
  • water in a pitcher or any large container
  • 1 regular six-sided die

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS


NEXT STEPS

Analyze how water supplies are depleted by drought and regular water use over time.


WEBSITE


Sound like fun?VIEW INSTRUCTIONS▼ to get started.
Sending or dropping off items to a nonprofit? Don't forget to tell them you found them through PGK! Download and print a packing slip here.

Your challenge: Imagine you are the Chief Water Engineer for California from now until 2050. Your job is to make California’s water supply last until 2050. To do this, you need to track the water we get from the three primary sources (aquifers, snowpacks, and surface water) to balance it with the demands of water for the state.

 

  1. Retrieve items from the materials list. Fill the pitcher or holding unit with six cups of water — represents the supply of potable water during non-drought times.
  2. Take three of the six cups to be the demand cups, the water to be used. Label each as one of the following residential, agriculture, and industrial.
  3. Pour one cup of water into each cup and mark the water level outside the cup. Observe how much water is inside.
  4. Fill the other three cups with one cup of water each. These will be the source cups — representing the water supply. Label each as one of the following, aquifer, snowpack, and surface water.
  5. Once all the cups have water, grab the die, and you are ready to start the game! Pay close attention to the balance between how water gets used (demand) and how much water is in supply.

Review less on pdf for more information about the rules and examples before you get started!