Buckets, Barrels and Ponds

Buckets, Barrels and Ponds

Let it Rain!
Lesson: 6.3
Level:
Intermediate
Station: Water Management
Format: Class Project
Rating:
Intermediate Lesson 6.3 Buckets, Barrels and Ponds

Lesson Overview

Imagine just how much rainwater could be collected if every drop from every roof on your campus was funneled into a collection system. That's exactly what this lesson aims to do.

Goals

  • Students will be able to describe various rain harvesting methods.

Outcomes

Students will analyze the design of the buildings and grounds on campus in order to create a rain harvesting plan to capture as much rain as possible.

Teach the Teacher

Tools & Materials

  • Time
  • Walking shoes
  • Grid paper
  • Pencil for each student

Activity

Rain doesn’t always fall when you need it to. And when it does come down, it is often in buckets delivering much more than needed.

So what can be done to capture and store the rain falling today for use tomorrow or weeks from now?

Walk the campus and determine how many various rain harvesting methods could be used. Consider the use of catchment systems, swales, redirection of downspouts, and even a retention pond. Are there improvements to be made to the buildings or grounds to allow for a fully integrated system?

Draft a phased plan with integrated rain harvesting systems to capture and store as much rain as possible. Your plan should consider the collection potential of the entire campus, and the most efficient method for storing it until it is needed.

Refine your plan as much as possible with specific solutions and cost estimates and then present it to the School Board for consideration or perhaps even inclusion in the school’s strategic plan.

Related Lessons

Give the Advanced lesson a try now that you’ve completed the Intermediate Lesson! Or revisit the Beginner Lesson as needed.

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