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Instruction

Wasting Water – Session 2

Session 2

Print version of "Wasting Water": PDF • Word

Conduct this session in the classroom.

1. Measure the water that collected in the bucket during Session 1. Ask students to help read the measurement. On the board, write the measurement along with the length of time the faucet (or jug) dripped water into the bucket.
   
2. Convert the volume of collected water to drops, considering that in 1 cup of water there are 2880 drops. Ask students to help perform the calculation.
   
3. Determine how much water would have been wasted had the faucet dripped for a day. For example, if the faucet dripped for 30 minutes and 1 and 1/2 cups collected, multiply 1.5 by 48.
   
4. Have the students find the number of faucets there are in the school. (Students can count the faucets themselves or ask a housekeeper for the number.)
   
5. Direct students to apply what they have learned in this session toward decreasing the amount of wasted water. Some sample ideas for students follow:
   
   • Write a report that includes the number of faucets in the school and the amount of water that is wasted when those faucets are left to leak. Submit the report to the school newspaper, the principal, or the housekeeping staff.
     
   • Hang posters near faucets throughout the school that remind students to turn off the water. Include on the posters facts about wasted water and estimated volumes of water used when washing hands.
     
   • Make a list of things students can do to conserve water at home (e.g., turning off the water while brushing teeth, shortening shower times, watering plants with pets' old drinking water rather than pouring it down the drain). Post copies of the list around the school, or submit it to the school newspaper.
     

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