Why is Stormwater a Problem?
Lesson Plans
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Geography, Engineering, Career Skills
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Provided by Sustainability Ambassadors
What it is
- This lesson examines how developed roadways and buildings cause stormwater pollution, how this pollution impacts marine life in Puget Sound, and possible solutions for this environmental issue.
- Students will engage in activities to encourage reflection and discussion, videos that inform them about stormwater pollution and its impacts, and interactive maps that allow them to understand this pollution on a deeper level.
Teaching tips
Positives
- For one of the activities, students will examine well-crafted infographics about stormwater.
- The articles and videos in this lesson range in complexity, so many learners can access the information.
Additional Prerequisites
- For one of the activities, students must work in groups.
- Clicking a link in this lesson plan won't take you to a new tab.
- The "Why are Salmon Dying Before They Can Spawn?" video shows images of dissected salmon, which may upset some students.
- Students need an account with ArcGIS to view the map on the "700 Million Gallons - GSI Around You" webpage.
- Some students may need the terms impervious, impenetrable, watersheds, mortality, stormwater, and runoff defined before beginning the lesson.
Differentiation
- This lesson can fit within a larger unit on types of pollution caused by human activity.
- Teachers can use the Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map as a conceptual introduction to environmental justice/equity.
- The "Trees Tame Stormwater" infographic can support a classroom discussion on the ecological importance of trees and the negative consequences of deforestation.
- The "Stormwater Impacts on Salmon" article can enhance a classroom discussion on the importance of biodiversity, how human activity is lowering biodiversity, and solutions to mitigate this decrease in global biodiversity.
From the scientist review
This activity succinctly highlights the impact of stormwater on infrastructure, water resources, and the environment. It provides credible materials to enable students to co-create solutions to address it.
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