Race 2 Reduce

Map of Planet Earth

Water Covers ¾ of Planet Earth. Facts About Water

97% Oceans 2% Glaciers and Polar Ice 1% Fresh Water All the Water in the World Facts About Water

BRAINSTORM! With your neighbors, think of at least 5 ways that you use water on a regular basis

Water is so important! What factors can you control? How much water is used when I…. Flush the toilet: 5 gallons Wash hands: 2 Brush teeth: 2-10 Run the dishwasher: 60 Wash clothes: 50 Wash the car: 100

Water Trivia How many gallons of water, on average, does each person use per day in the U.S.?

Water Trivia How many gallons of water, on average, does each person use per day in the U.S.? 100

Water Trivia How much water does it take to make a fast food meal?

Water Trivia How much water does it take to make a fast food meal? 1400

Water Trivia How much water does it take to produce one pound of chocolate ?

Water Trivia How much water does it take to produce one pound of chocolate ? 2170

Facts About Water Video: We use water in lots of different ways In fact, water was used to make the clothes that you are wearing right now!

Where does your water come from? Water stored: In the ground (Groundwater) Lakes, rivers, etc. (Surface water) Figure from Minnesota Department of Health

Groundwater Water stored and moving in spaces within rocks underground

Aquifer Rock units that can become full of water and let water move

What about White Bear Lake? The lake is losing water everyday and is the lowest it has ever been Past: – Drought (times of very little rain) caused the low lake levels Today: – Water levels are much lower than in past times of drought – So, scientists want to know why…

What’s going on today? Scientists haven’t decided what is causing the lake to go down. Here are some of their ideas: 1.The communities around White Bear Lake use water from the aquifer underneath, and in recent years, we are pumping too much water! 2.The low lake levels may be a result of natural climate variation. 3.Other factors?

Who is affected by the low lake levels? Plants and animals People who… -Live on the lake -Have businesses on the lake -Swim in, or use, the lake

Let’s take a closer look… Humans are taking water faster than it can be put back in by the Earth Our lake is losing water

Let’s take a closer look… Natural low water level in the climate cycle – the water may rise again and it could even be healthy for the lake

But, guess what? Water is a really important natural resource. Earth only has a finite supply of water – it is renewable if we use it wisely. So, even if we don’t know exactly what is causing the low water level… Reducing our water use is critical for preserving this important resource for future generations!

How much water do YOU use? You have the opportunity to: TRACK your average water usage If a lot of people promise to use less water, the lake will have high water levels again!

Build a model aquifer! 1.In your plastic cup, layer units in this order: a.1 small scoop of sand b.Flat layer of clay covering half the cup (grape sized piece) c.1 small scoop of pebbles 2. Arrange the pebbles so they are mostly on top of the clay (covering half the cup and sloping down) 3.Pour 1 small scoop of water into your cup (a small pool of water should form on one side) 4.Where does the water go when you add it to the cup? 5.Add 1 drop of food coloring to the top of your pebble layer 6.Watch to see what happens to the food coloring. What does this represent?

Discussion questions Where did the water go when you added it to your cup? Which part would make the best aquifer? What did the food coloring represent? What happened when you put a drop of food coloring into your cup?