As the population increases and water supplies are challenged with human impacts and climate change, a plentiful supply of drinking water in the future is not guaranteed. We need to protect and look after our drinking water to make sure that we have enough water to go around now and in the future.
Kaitiakitanga is at the heart of protecting our water resources. Students use this concept to consider new ways of managing freshwater ecosystem health.
This activity is part of a suite of resources that support Smart Water – a context for learning, which provides students and teachers with opportunities to connect with water and learn more about drinking water in the Waikato region. The science and mātauranga concepts that underpin Smart Water are transferable to other locations in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In this activity, students explore the Waikato region’s water issues: their causes, effects and alternative possibilities.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
- identify issues for our freshwater sources and water bodies
- identify the effects, alternative solutions and future consequences of current issues.
Download the Word file (see link below).
Nature of science
This activity supports the Nature of Science ‘Participating and contributing’ strand. Students use their growing science knowledge when considering issues of concern to them.
Related content
Smart Water – a context for learning groups Smart Water resources into key science and teaching concepts that underpin water conservation.
Rivers and Us – a context for learning has pedagogical information and links to numerous resources that explore water use and water quality.
Activity ideas
Other activities in Smart Water:
- Getting to know water collects students’ prior knowledge and experiences of freshwater as the starting point to form an inquiry plan.
- Water in nature explores states of matter in the water cycle.
- Te mana o te wai explores the concept of mauri – the health and wellbeing of a waterway.
- Water in the Waikato explores the major freshwater features and sources of water for the Waikato region.
- Global water perspectives explores water availability and water stress around the world, with comparison and reflection on Aotearoa New Zealand’s situation.
- Getting water ready to drink explores the drinking water treatment process.
- Water use challenge investigates how much water we need for our daily tasks.
- Being smart with water uses the knowledge gained from the ongoing inquiry to make a difference in how we use water.
Useful links
Visit Smart Water for water level alerts, water saving tips and more.
The following websites have more detailed information about the Waikato River’s health and water quality:
Acknowledgement
This resource has been produced with the support of Smart Water.
