Access to Clean Water
Shakiea Lang
Mosaic Preparatory Academy
INTRODUCTION:
Imagine waking up and not being able to brush your teeth, take a shower, or get a glass of clean water. For many people around the world, this is their reality. The EPA has asked you to look at the problem of lack of access to clean water in the U.S. You will learn about the global issue of access to clean water, why it matters, and what we can do to help.
TASK
Objectives:
Understand why access to clean water is a global issue.
Research and explain causes and effects of water scarcity.
Investigate current policies and community actions.
Propose a solution and justify your choice using evidence.
Student Product(s):
Group slideshow presentation or poster
Written action plan (1 page)
Reflection journal entry
Timeframe:
5 sessions (30–40 minutes each) over one week
PROCESS
You will be arranged in small groups of 3–4, with each student taking on a specific role: Researcher, Policy Analyst, Solution Designer, and Presenter. These roles will help divide responsibilities as they work collaboratively to investigate the issue of clean water access and develop a thoughtful solution.
●
Researcher (finds and summarizes information)
●
Policy Analyst (evaluates existing programs/laws)
●
Solution Designer (develops possible solutions)
●
Presenter (helps organize and present the final
product)
You will use the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) steps to explore the issue, understand its root causes, evaluate real-world efforts to address it, and create their own proposals for change. They will take on the role of youth problem-solvers and follow a research-based path to design and present meaningful solutions. Their work will culminate in a group presentation and a written action plan.
Step 1: Define the Problem
Task: What
is access to clean water, and why is it important?
Resources:
● UNICEF: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
● National Geographic Kids - Water Facts
● Video: Why Access to Clean Water Matters
Tips to helps your final product:
This becomes your Slide 1 (Problem Statement) or poster introduction.
🖥 How
to Write a Problem Statement (Student-Friendly)
Step 2: Gather the Evidence
Task: Where
are people most affected? How many people are impacted?
Resources:
● Clean Water for All - Scholastic Article
● Water.org – Stories from the Field
Tips to help your final product:
This is your Slide 2 (Evidence) with visuals, statistics, or maps.
📊 How
to Add Images, Maps, and Charts in Google Slides
Step 3: Identify the Causes
Task: What
causes water to become unsafe or unavailable?
Resources:
● EPA: Sources of Water Pollution
● Water Scarcity Explained for Kids
Tips to helps your final product: This
information appears on Slide 3 (Causes of the Problem).
📚 How to
Organize Information Logically in a Slide
Step 4: Evaluate an Existing Policy
Task: Research a real law, organization, or program that helps solve the water crisis. What is it doing well? What could be improved?
Resources:
● UN Sustainable Development Goal 6
How this helps your final product: This
is Slide 4 (Existing Solutions/Programs) with pros/cons or effectiveness.
📊 How to
Create a Comparison Table in Google Slides
Step 5: Develop Solutions
Task: Brainstorm possible ways to solve the problem. Think local and global!
Support:
● Brainstorm sheet provided by the teacher
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15uxyJRt3nIg6QQc2rLqZ8pMSfGSyNkn7/view?usp=sharing
● Use information gathered to develop at least 3 possible solutions
Tips to help your final product: This becomes Slide 5 (Your 3 Proposed Solutions) using bullet points or visuals.
💡 How to Create a Brainstorm Slide
Step 6: Select the Best Solution
Task:
Decide which of your team’s solutions is the most effective and realistic.
Explain your decision with facts.
Presentation: Create a poster or Google Slides presentation with:
● Problem summary
● Best solution
● Why it works
● Visuals or diagrams
● Call to action
How this helps your final product:
This becomes Slide 6 (Best Solution + Justification) in
your presentation.
✅ How to
Support Your Opinion with Evidence in Slides
EVALUATION
CONCLUSION
Congratulations, changemakers! You now understand the global challenge of accessing clean water and have created thoughtful, informed solutions. As global citizens, you have the power to raise awareness and take action. Think about how your ideas can make a difference in your own community. What will you do next to help?
STANDARDS:
Science – NYS Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems – Societal activities can impact the environment and access to natural resources.
ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions – Designs can be improved through iteration and feedback.
ELA – NYS Next Generation Learning Standards (4th Grade):
RI.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says.
W.4.7: Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation.
SL.4.4: Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner.