Designing for Water: Adapting Indigenous Practices

Students explore traditional Indigenous water-harvesting techniques used by the Tohono O’odham people to learn how these methods help protect soil and conserve water, apply this knowledge to design a modern adaptation for a local water or soil challenge, and communicate their ideas through sketches and written reflections.

Inquire: Students explore farming challenges caused by extreme weather and share their observations and ideas for local adaptations.

Investigate: Students learn about Indigenous water-harvesting techniques, take notes on how they protect soil and conserve water, and analyze modern adaptations.

Inspire: Students design a modern adaptation of a traditional water-harvesting method to address a local soil or water challenge and share their ideas with the class.