SUMMARY

Students will learn about a number of the issues affecting global water.  Through videos, course readings, a case study review, and a hands-on activity, students will walk away with a foundational understanding of a complex and multifaceted issue.

GOALS

Learning Objective

In this lesson, students will:

• Identify the social, environmental, and political factors affecting global water
• Understand impacts the above factors will have on global water
• Explore how nation’s with limited water resources must adapt to climate change

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION AND TEACHING MATERIALS

Download >> Global Water Lesson Plan

TEACHING NOTES / CONTEXT FOR USE

See the attached.

ASSESSMENT

Homework to Collect and Grade

Research on learning indicates that reflecting on experiences tends to result in higher level learning.  Please answer the following questions reflecting on the Arctic Council "SMARCTIC" activity (posted as embedded text in CourseWorks Discussion):
 

• If we gave this activity to a future class, what would they learn from it?
• Do you think that it could engage people who do not have your high level of academic training in the general subject area?  Why or why not?  Let us know if you have ideas for modifications that would make this more engaging to a broader audience.
• Research on learning indicates that the affective realm (i.e. feelings, attitudes, perceptions, intentions, and emotions) is important to engage along with the cognitive realm.  What emotions did you feel while doing this activity and the discussion that followed?

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES

Assigned Student Preparation

View >>

• Global Water Partnership, "Managing Water to Adapt to Climate Change" video: http://www.gwp.org/en/About-GWP/Videos/
• Global Water Partnership, "Key Insights into on IWRM Planning in 13 Countries" video: http://www.gwp.org/en/About-GWP/Videos/

Read >>

• IPCC, Chapter 3 Freshwater Resources (pages 175-201)

Download >> report from: http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg2/en/ch3.html

The NYC DEP Climate Change Program Assessment and Action Plan, Chapter 2 and 3 (pages 34-64)
Download report from: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/dep_projects/climate_change.shtm
 

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Students will learn about a number of the issues affecting global water. Through videos, course readings, a case study review, and a hands-on activity, students will walk away with a foundational understanding of a complex and multifaceted issue.