What's in Your Glass? A Drinking Water Journey
This new resource explores water's journey through the environment, the water cycle, watersheds, and the connection between land use and water quality. Through interactive activities and guided discussions, students gain an appreciation for the critical role water plays in sustaining life and society.
The curriculum introduces core concepts such as the water cycle, sources of drinking water, and how pollution can travel through watersheds to impact both surface and groundwater sources. Activities like "Foil the Flow" and "H2-Oh No!" give learners a chance to model watersheds, observe runoff, and see how pollutants move through the cycle. These lessons make complex environmental processes accessible and relevant, encouraging students to consider their own water sources and the factors that can affect the quality.
Another key component of the curriculum focuses on drinking water testing. Through exercises like "Analyzing Water Test Results" and "Liquid Lab", students learn how to interpret lab reports and use simple test kits to evaluate water samples for factors such as pH, nitrates, and total dissolved solids. These activities not only build STEM skills but also help students recognize the importance of regular water testing, especially for households relying on private wells, springs, or cisterns.
Aligned with Pennsylvania's STEELS (Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability) Standards, the curriculum integrates inquiry-based learning with real-world environmental issues. Students engage in science practices, build data interpretation skills, and apply critical thinking to explore water quality, making it an ideal resource for both classroom and informal education settings across the state.
To bring this curriculum to your classroom or program, please reach out to a Penn State Extension Water Resources Educator. They can help guide instruction, provide materials, and offer expertise in delivering activities that connect science education with practical water quality knowledge.
Funding for this publication was made possible by the Pennsylvania Department of Health cooperative agreement with CDC Environmental Health Capacity building initiative (Grant #1NUE1EH001414-01-00).
