- Performance Task
- Created by Maggie O'Brien
- 23 Student Check-ins
- 4 Products
Introduction
Communities and society create a a great deal of waste.This waste ends up being carried, either directly or indirectly, by water. Wastewater treatment facilities can be found in most countries. However, in many poor countries they do not exist, or the ones that do exist are not up-to-date and as such, do not provide the necessary treatment. These facilities cost money to build, run and maintain. Economics is one of the primary reasons that these facilities are not found in some countries or are not up-to-date. It is important that the citizens of these countries learn more about water treatment.
Driving Question
- How does water treatment work?
- What are some successful water treatment plans?
- Why is water treatment important to humans?
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Big Idea
- The health of all living things is directly related to the quality of the environment.
- People acting individually and/or as groups influence the environment.
- Some attributes of objects are measurable.
Essential Questions
- How does the quality of the environment affect the health of all living things within it?
- How do humans influence the environment?
- How can attributes of an object be measured and represented using different units?
G.R.A.S.P.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is very concerned about water-related diseases affecting a small African country. This country is very poor and diseases of epidemic proportion are very possible. Such an outbreak would make many people sick and could cause a large number of fatalities. The WHO is presenting to the national government of this country in an attempt to encourage the government to build a water treatment facility within the country.
Role
You are a civil engineer who has been sent by the World Health Organization to a small African country to present to the national government. Your task is to present information on the importance of building a water treatment facility in that country. The government does not understand how such a facility works or how it can be beneficial to human health, the are also concerned about the cost of building this facility.
Audience
The audience is a team of government officials. They will need to be convinced that a water treatment facility will benefit the people of the country.
Situation
Communities and society create a a great deal of waste.This waste ends up being carried, either directly or indirectly, by water. Wastewater treatment facilities can be found in most countries. However, in many poor countries they do not exist, or the ones that do exist are not up-to-date and as such, do not provide the necessary treatment. These facilities cost money to build, run and maintain. Economics is one of the primary reasons that these facilities are not found in some countries or are not up-to-date. It is important that the citizens of these countries learn more about water treatment.
Demonstration
After conducting research on how these water treatment plants work, you need to make a demonstration using household products that will show people how the water treatment process works. Explain how this process removes materials based upon the properties of the materials, including those with particles too small to be seen. Be sure to include the removal of solids and other treatment processes that are critical. Be prepared to explain how each step in the process works and why the whole process is important to the health of the people and the environment.
Blueprint/Diagram
Create a blueprint of a water treatment plant. Make sure to include diagram specific measurements, the length of the pipes, the overall size of the building, and the sizes of any areas around the building including parking spaces and outdoor recreational areas. (length, width, height, area).
Informational Brochure
Create an informational brochure to be distributed to the people of the country. This should be simple to read and should highlight the human health benefits and potential environmental benefits a water treatment plant could bring to the community. To illustrate the treatment process, construct a linear diagram that shows the water entering the plant, the various forms of treatment, and how it reenters the ecosystem. Be sure to explain the importance of each step and how this process removes materials based upon the properties of the materials. This brochure can be done by hand, through the use of a computer or web-based tool.
Oral Presentation
You need to create an oral presentation using information gathered throughout your research. The presentation should be between 2-4 minutes and should be directed to government officials in charge of making decisions regarding the water treatment plant. You should use technology, such as PowerPoint to display important points, diagrams, and photographs that will enhance your presentation. Be sure to explain how this process removes materials based upon the properties of the materials.The purpose of the presentation is to convince officials that building the water treatment facility will be beneficial to the citizens and the environment.
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Defined Learning Videos
Runtime: 5:03
Runtime: 7:52
Runtime: 5:55
Defined Learning Resources
Creating Energy From Sewage
Constructed Response
The fossil fuels that we use for energy will not last forever. This is why scientists are always looking for new ways to create energy. It is not easy for them to find new energy sources. Sometimes they need to look in crazy places. One crazy place that they have started to look is in the wastewater that goes down your toilet!
Global Drinking Water Concerns
Constructed Response
People need water every day in order to live. Without water people will die. Most communities were set up near water like a river or a lake. Over time many of these water sources have changed. The water may not be as clean. It may have even dried up a little or all the way. People most likely caused these changes. It is important for people to find ways to fix these changes.
A Clean Water Supply For Everyone
Constructed Response
Global Drinking Water Concerns
Constructed Response
Humans need a minimum amount of water to live each day. Without water people will die. Most communities were formed near a water source like a river or a lake. Over time many of these water sources have changed. The water may not be as clean as it once was, or it may have evaporated partially or completely. It is very possible that humans have caused these changes. It is important for humans to find solutions to help fix these changes.
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Oral Presentation
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How does the water treatment process work?
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Once the facility treats the water, how does it return to the ecosystem?
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How will building a water treatment facility be beneficial?
Informational Brochure
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How does the water treatment process work?
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Once the facility treats the water, how does it return to the ecosystem?
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What human health and environmental benefits could a water treatment facility bring to the community?
Demonstration
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How do treatment facilities remove pollutants from the water?
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How do water treatment facilities work and what are their benefits?
Blueprint/Diagram
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What measurements and units will you use to represent your water treatment?
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How does water pass through a treatment?
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How are water treatment plants constructed?
Process Video
Design Process
Brainstorm Ideas
It's time to think about product development. You will begin with ideation, which is the start of the creative process. During the ideation phase, you will brainstorm with your group about all the potential ways you could approach this product. Remember, the more creative and innovative your ideas are at this stage, the better! Your group will need to check and make sure that each of your initial ideas are meeting the requirements related to the goal, audience and product description. What are the directions or criteria that need to be followed? Who is your audience and what will they need from this product?
Analyze & Decide
As you discuss the possibilities during your brainstorming, you will narrow the ideas down to those that seem like they would best solve the problem or address the challenge. Once you have narrowed down to two or three ideas, grab some paper and a pencil and make an outline or sketch a plan for each one. What will the product need to include? How will you best use the information that you found in your research to create it? What would the product look like based upon each idea?
After outlining your product ideas. Discuss with your group and decide on ONE that you would like to move forward with. When you have selected one idea, you will move on to the creation phase, keeping in mind that you may go through several rounds of creation and revision before you are ready to present.
Create & Revise
It is possible that while you are creating the first version of your product, you will develop more questions that need to be answered before you can continue. If so, you may need to do additional research. Reflect on how any new information affects your product and make revisions as needed.
Your group should also be looking at the rubric during the creation phase. Here, you can practice thinking critically and collaborating with your peers to understand what needs to be included in your product. Then, you should reflect on whether or not your initial work meets those criteria. If you realize that it does not, you may need to go back and make additional revisions.
As you work through the process of creating and revising your product, communication with your teacher and classmates will be very valuable. Asking for help and discussing your product with others can help you clarify whether or not your product meets the goal of the task and is appropriate for the audience.
Remember, creating this product is a fun opportunity to apply what you have learned about important topics in a more creative and independent way.
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Brainstorming: Based on your group's analysis of the research, brainstorm potential solutions, designs, and recommendations
Enter your brainstorming ideas below.
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Analyze/Decide: Based on your group's brainstorming - decide on the best ways to move forward and create a product that meets the needs of the target audience and addresses the goal of the task.
Write below what you or your team have decided to create.
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Demonstration
After conducting research on how these water treatment plants work, you need to make a demonstration using household products that will show people how the water treatment process works. Explain how this process removes materials based upon the properties of the materials, including those with particles too small to be seen. Be sure to include the removal of solids and other treatment processes that are critical. Be prepared to explain how each step in the process works and why the whole process is important to the health of the people and the environment.
Online submission requires login. Log In
Blueprint/Diagram
Create a blueprint of a water treatment plant. Make sure to include diagram specific measurements, the length of the pipes, the overall size of the building, and the sizes of any areas around the building including parking spaces and outdoor recreational areas. (length, width, height, area).
Online submission requires login. Log In
Informational Brochure
Create an informational brochure to be distributed to the people of the country. This should be simple to read and should highlight the human health benefits and potential environmental benefits a water treatment plant could bring to the community. To illustrate the treatment process, construct a linear diagram that shows the water entering the plant, the various forms of treatment, and how it reenters the ecosystem. Be sure to explain the importance of each step and how this process removes materials based upon the properties of the materials. This brochure can be done by hand, through the use of a computer or web-based tool.
Online submission requires login. Log In
Oral Presentation
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Related Content
Performance Tasks
Water Treatment Specialist
Grade: 10The Susquehanna River flows from southern New York, through Pennsylvania, on into Maryland, and finally into the Chesapeake Bay. As the river flows, it travels through farmlands, towns, and cities. The river has many tributaries, which also travel through similar areas. The fastest growing source of pollution for the Chesapeake Bay is storm-water runoff from urban and suburban lands. Additionally, individual septic systems and fertilizers contribute an overabundance of nitrogen into tributaries, the river, and finally the bay.
Civil Engineer: Water Treatment
Grade: 10Communities and society create a tremendous amount of waste that is carried, either directly or indirectly by water. Wastewater-treatment facilities can be found in most countries. However, in many poor countries they do not exist, or the ones that do exist are not up-to-date and as such, do not provide the necessary treatment. The ability of these facilities to adequately treat wastewater can have an impact on the environment and on human health. These facilities cost money to build, run and maintain. Economics is one of the primary reasons that these facilities are not found in some countries or are not up-to-date. During your meeting with the national government, be sure to address each of these concerns. It will also be important to educate the citizens of the countries on the potential impact of water treatment.
Constructed Responses
A Clean Water Supply For Everyone
Flesch Kincaid Grade: 5.5
| Common Core Band | ATOS | Degrees of Reading Power® | Flesch-Kincaid | The Lexile Framerwork® | Reading Maturity | SourceRater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th - 5th | 4.97 - 7.03 | 52 - 60 | 4.51 - 7.73 | 740 - 1010 | 5.42 - 7.92 | 0.84 - 5.75 |
Creating Energy From Sewage
The fossil fuels that we use for energy will not last forever. This is why scientists are always looking for new ways to create energy. It is not easy for them to find new energy sources. Sometimes they need to look in crazy places. One crazy place that they have started to look is in the wastewater that goes down your toilet!
Flesch Kincaid Grade: 4.8
| Common Core Band | ATOS | Degrees of Reading Power® | Flesch-Kincaid | The Lexile Framerwork® | Reading Maturity | SourceRater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd - 3rd | 2.75 - 5.14 | 42 - 54 | 1.98 - 5.34 | 420 - 820 | 3.53 - 6.13 | 0.05 - 2.48 |
| 4th - 5th | 4.97 - 7.03 | 52 - 60 | 4.51 - 7.73 | 740 - 1010 | 5.42 - 7.92 | 0.84 - 5.75 |
Global Drinking Water Concerns
Humans need a minimum amount of water to live each day. Without water people will die. Most communities were formed near a water source like a river or a lake. Over time many of these water sources have changed. The water may not be as clean as it once was, or it may have evaporated partially or completely. It is very possible that humans have caused these changes. It is important for humans to find solutions to help fix these changes.
Flesch Kincaid Grade: 6.7
| Common Core Band | ATOS | Degrees of Reading Power® | Flesch-Kincaid | The Lexile Framerwork® | Reading Maturity | SourceRater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th - 5th | 4.97 - 7.03 | 52 - 60 | 4.51 - 7.73 | 740 - 1010 | 5.42 - 7.92 | 0.84 - 5.75 |
| 6th - 8th | 7.00 - 9.98 | 57 - 67 | 6.51 - 10.34 | 925 - 1185 | 7.04 - 9.57 | 4.11 - 10.66 |
Global Drinking Water Concerns
People need water every day in order to live. Without water people will die. Most communities were set up near water like a river or a lake. Over time many of these water sources have changed. The water may not be as clean. It may have even dried up a little or all the way. People most likely caused these changes. It is important for people to find ways to fix these changes.
Flesch Kincaid Grade: 5.3
| Common Core Band | ATOS | Degrees of Reading Power® | Flesch-Kincaid | The Lexile Framerwork® | Reading Maturity | SourceRater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd - 3rd | 2.75 - 5.14 | 42 - 54 | 1.98 - 5.34 | 420 - 820 | 3.53 - 6.13 | 0.05 - 2.48 |
| 4th - 5th | 4.97 - 7.03 | 52 - 60 | 4.51 - 7.73 | 740 - 1010 | 5.42 - 7.92 | 0.84 - 5.75 |
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