Why is Stormwater a Problem?

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.