Water Infrastructure

At Home with + POOL

Estimated Time: 1 hour
Subjects: Engineering, Science, Environment, Writing, Architecture
Grade: 9-12
What You Need At Home: internet access, printer, pen & paper

Click here to download and print your free materials. 

PART I: Global issues in developing countries

1. Ask your high schooler to read this article about water infrastructure
2. Once they have finished reading, give them POOL-Activities-HSQuiz. (If you are interested in testing your kid’s reading comprehension, try administering the quiz without allowing them to reference the article; if they score poorly, have them read the article again and try the quiz again!)
3. Ask your kids to create a source list of all the facts outlined in the article, using MLA citation formats. 

PART II: Advocacy at home

1. As the article mentions, wastewater treatment (after you flush!) represents between 3-7% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Have your high schooler learn about a pilot project at Newtown Creek to create renewable gas.
2. Have your high schooler read about one of the biggest issues impacting NYC’s waterbodies from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: Combined Sewage Overflows. 
3. Have your high schooler look into some pilot projects by various NYC agencies that are helping reduce the impact of CSOs, including Using toilets for rain gardens and oyster reefs; 
4. Have your high schooler write a letter or paper to their elected representative that argues for investments in water infrastructure and why, citing the article and other sources that have been discovered through this activity.