Module 4:
Water and Family

Agriculture, production, and pollution
Background

Day to day activities and survival of every family, regardless of size, composition, nationality, or social and economic status, depends on water. All families everywhere need water for preparing food, bathing, cleaning our homes and clothes, and for activities such as growing vegetables or fishing. Recreation is an important part of children’s development, and clean waterways provide a place for many people to have fun swimming, hiking, or traveling by boat.  Although the need for water is universal, the amount of water that we use how we receive, store, and dispose of it is not equal between countries or in different areas of the same country.  

 “Not only has my son brought back water saving methods into our home, but he has also shared this with his uncles and aunts. Now they also use laundry water to flush toilets!” Parent, Swarovski Waterschool China 

Thematic concepts

Water footprint

The water footprint of a product is the volume of freshwater it takes to produce the product, including the water consumed and polluted during the various steps along the supply chain. 

Blue and green water

"Blue” refers to water that is used for irrigation and in processing. “Green” water is from precipitation (rain or snow).

Virtual Water

Large quantities of the world’s water are used for agriculture and industry. “Virtual” water is water that has been used to produce the food we eat, the things we use, and the clothes we wear.

Activities

4.1
IS THERE ENOUGH WATER?

Time: 30 minutes, on 2 consecutive daysGoal for Learning: Students will be able to understand the concepts of water shortages and cooperation.

4.2
WATER IS EVERYWHERE

Time: 50 minutesGoal for Learning: Students gain an understanding of the water used to produce everday items.

4.3
HOW OUR FAMILIES USE WATER

Time: 30 minutesGoal for Learning: Comprehension of how much water we use, where the water comes from, and where it goes.

4.4
PUMPING WATER UP

Time: 30 minutesGoal for Learning: Discover the science behind water pumping.