Fort Huachuca Water Wise
and Energy Smart Program
Education Program
Curriculum Guide
2012-2013
Through The University of Arizona
Cochise County Cooperative Extension
Fort Huachuca
Water Wise and Energy Smart (WWES)
Education Program Curriculum Guide 2012-2013
Water and energy lessons available to Ft. Huachuca classroom teachers
through The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
(520) 533-3420 www.ag.arizona.edu/cochise/wwes/
Water and Energy Education Program Overview
The Water Wise and Energy Smart Program curriculum has four focus areas:
 Water Basics (the water cycle, where water is found, amounts of water in different places on the
planet, properties of water);
 Aquifers and Watersheds (how water enters the ground, is stored there, and is removed);
 Conservation (saving water and energy);
 Energy (renewable and non-renewable sources)
The goal of the classroom water and energy education program is to shift students’ level of knowledge
from general concepts to a deeper understanding and sense of personal connection to water and energy
as limited resources. All activities are taught by experienced conservation educators through the
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Office on Fort Huachuca and are offered free of charge to
K – 8 teachers. All activities are correlated, by grade, to the Arizona Academic Standards and a listing
of standards is provided for each lesson.
How to Schedule Classroom Lessons
1. Read through the listing of lessons, noting their recommended grade levels. Each class is
adapted for each grade level within its listed range to meet specific Arizona Academic Standards
for each grade.
2. Select up to four classes. The topic categories enable you to choose classes that emphasize one
or several areas of focus. There is a duration time listed for each activity. This timeframe is a
flexible estimate; contact a WWES educator if you need to tailor a presentation to your
classroom needs.
3. Remove and complete the request form at the back of the Curriculum Guide and turn it in to
your school office staff or complete an online form on the Water Wise and Energy Smart website
at: www.ag.arizona.edu/cochise/wwes/
(Follow the links: Youth Education
School Programs
WWES Class Request Form).
4. Make a copy of the request form for your records. A WWES educator will contact you to
coordinate scheduling.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, the University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.
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Class Listing 2012-2013
The following icons in the curriculum guide are used to show the focus area for each lesson.
Water Basics
Aquifers and Watersheds
Conservation
Energy
Water Basics
Build a Water Cycle (Grades K – 5)
Duration: 30 minutes for grades K – 1; 45 minutes for grades 2 – 5
Students construct a water cycle model using a variety of materials and practice using water
cycle vocabulary words.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science
Special classroom request(s): whiteboard or wall where a poster can be placed
Globe Toss (Grades K – 5)
Duration: 30 minutes for grades K – 1; 45 minutes for grades 2 – 5
Students gain an understanding of the distribution of water on Earth and the limited amount of
water available for human use through a “globe tossing” activity and discussion of basic water
cycle principles.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, math, kinesthetic learning
Special classroom request(s): Space for students to stand beside their desks
Make a Storm (Grades 2 – 5)
Duration: 45 minutes
Students listen to the book, Kokopelli’s Gift, by Kathleen Bryant. Afterward, students snap
fingers, stomp feet, and clap hands to create their own “storm.” After a couple of practice runs,
the ‘storm” is recorded and played back for students to hear. It really does sound realistic.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, reading comprehension, listening skills, kinesthetic
learning
Special classroom request(s): Sufficient space for students to move during the “storm.”
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Aquifers and Watersheds
Aquifer in a Jar (Grades K – 1)
Duration: 30 minutes
Students listen to the book, Under One Rock, by Anthony D. Fredericks. They then interact with
a model that represents underground soil and rock layers and investigate how water moves
through spaces between the layers.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science
Special classroom request(s): Table for preparing the model
Create-A-Watershed (Grades 3 – 8)
Duration: 45 minutes
Students create a three-dimensional model of a watershed. Students define vocabulary terms
related to watersheds, identify key geographic features, predict drainage patterns, and analyze
and discuss natural and human environmental impacts.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science
Special classroom request(s): None
Enviroscape (Grades 2 – 8)
Duration: 45 minutes
Students interact with a topographic model that demonstrates the connection between land use
activities and groundwater. Students set up a neighborhood, golf course, construction site, farm,
factory, and wastewater treatment plant and investigate how these activities affect surface water
and groundwater quality.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, kinesthetic learning
Special classroom request(s): Floor space or table, with sufficient space for students to gather
around the model
Groundwater Flow Model (Grades 2 – 8)
Duration: 45 minutes
Students interact with a simulation model of an underground aquifer. Students pump water from
the aquifer to investigate how water moves underground and the effects of groundwater
pumping. Students also “contaminate” the model and observe and discuss the results.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, math
Special classroom request(s): Table to display model
One in a Million (Grades 4-8)
Duration: 45 minutes
Students make a solution of food coloring with a concentration of one part per million and
discuss clean water standards.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, math
Special classroom request(s): None
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Water Zigzag Race (Grades 3-8)
Duration: 45 minutes
Students team up to create race courses where the winning team’s water moves the slowest
through a designed course.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, building design
Special classroom request(s): Level surfaces (such as tables or desks) with sufficient space for
students to observe the race(s)
Conservation
Bringing Water Home (Grades 3 – 5)
Duration: one hour
Students listen to the book, My Life with the Wave, by Catherine Cowan. They discuss how
involvement in a certain activity might seem like a good idea at the time, but might have later,
unexpected ramifications. They consider the question, “Can we control water?” Using the story
as a model, students participate in a guided creative writing activity.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, reading comprehension, listening skills, writing,
critical thinking
Special classroom request(s): Whiteboard or blackboard for brainstorming list
Cistern Connections (Grades 3-8)
Duration: 45 minutes
Students use a cistern model and flash cards to identify components, vocabulary, and processes
for active rainwater harvesting systems.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, reading comprehension, listening skills, kinesthetic
learning
Special classroom request(s): Access to water for the cistern, location that allows for possible
water spills
Conservation Music (Grades K – 5)
Duration: 45 minutes
Students learn songs and chants about saving water and energy.
elementary level then compose their own conservation lyrics.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, music
Special classroom request(s): None
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Students at the upper
Everyone Come to the Water Hole (Grades K – 1)
Duration: 30 minutes
Students participate in the story, The Water Hole, by Graeme Base. Afterwards, students
experience the feel of a “water hole” that is being depleted. They discuss the disappearance of
the water and suggest ways that the “water hole” could get refilled.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, reading comprehension, listening skills
Special classroom request(s): Table or desk for water jug and cups
Follow the Leader (Grades 3-8)
Duration: 45 minutes
Students read about a natural water harvester, the horned lizard, found in the desert areas across
the Southwest, and then create paper models to demonstrate different ways that these fascinating
creatures “catch” water to drink.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, reading comprehension, listening skills
Special classroom request(s): Scissors
A Heavy Load to Carry (Grades 3-8)
Duration: 45 minutes
Students form teams to move water from one point to another as a way to understand the energy
and time required to physically transport water by hand. Students gain an appreciation of the
ease of water access through modern technology and the need to conserve water.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, social studies, kinesthetic learning
Special classroom request(s): Access to water, outdoor area where a water hauling course can be
set up
Water History Trunk (Grades 3 – 8)
Duration: 45 minutes
Students examine “old-fashioned” items for procuring and using water (dowsing
rods, hand held laundry agitator, canvas water bag, windmill, ice tongs, etc.), and
discuss their functions and connection with water conservation measures. Students
gain an understanding that previous generations used far less water than we do today, discuss
reasons that this is the case, and recommend conservation measures.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, social studies, math
Special classroom request(s): Table for the history artifacts, whiteboard or chalkboard, screen to
display a PowerPoint presentation
Water Web of Life (Grades 3 – 8)
Duration: 1 hour
Students listen to the book, Alejandro’s Gift, by Richard E. Albert. They then take on the roles
of different organisms in a riparian habitat. Students create a string “web” as they interact with
“organisms” in the ecosystem with which they have a special relationship (food, shelter,
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reproduction). The interactive demonstration of interdependence among living things challenges
students to consider their own conservation habits.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science, biological science, reading, kinesthetic learning
Special classroom request(s): Arrangement for students to sit in a circle, either at desks or on the
floor.
Oil Vs Water
Duration; 45minutes
Discuss properties of oil and water and participate in an experiment that
demonstrates effects of oil spill. Discussion of oil spills and environmental
stewardship.
Energy
Snap, Crackle, and Pop (Grades 3 – 5)
Duration: 45 minutes
Students define energy and electricity, demonstrate static electricity, and build a circuit to light a
light bulb. Students discuss fossil fuels and opportunities for renewable energy.
Subjects and learning styles: Earth science
Special classroom request(s): None
Grade Level/School Culmination Activity
Rolling River (Grades 2 – 8)
Duration: Varies by number of classes and time available (approximately 30 – 45 minutes)
Students interact with a five by ten foot utility trailer filled with artificial “sand.” They scoop out
a meandering river or two and then add small houses, vehicles, animals, trees, foliage, and rocks
to form a simulated village. Water is turned on at the top of the watershed and students watch as
it flows through the river, demonstrating various effects of water, including erosion, runoff, and
flooding. Students determine ways to save water and protect communities and the environment.
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Subjects and learning styles: Earth science
Requirements: minimum of three participating classrooms, student preparation through
previous instruction, outside venue, hose and faucet
*NOTE: Contact a Water Wise and Energy Smart Educator to learn more about scheduling the
Rolling River
Students interact with the Rolling River
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Examples of WWES Classes
Groundwater Flow Model
Cistern Connections
EnviroScape©
Water Zigzag Race
Water History Trunk
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WWES Educator Request Form 2012-2013
Name ___________________________________ Date ________________________
School __________________________________ Grade Level __________________
Check best way to contact you: Email
School Phone
Home Phone
Contact Information:
_______________________________________________________________
1. Select up to four classes of interest. Check the box in front of each requested class.
Water Basics
Build a Water
Cycle (K-5)
Globe Toss (K-5)
Make a Storm
(2-5)
Wettie the
Waterdrop (K-2)
Aquifers and Watersheds
Aquifer/Jar (K-1)
Create/Watershed
(4-8)
Enviroscape
(2-8)
Groundwater Flow Model
(2-8)
One in a Million
(4-8)
Water Zigzag Race
(3-8)
Conservation
Bringing Water
Home (3-5)
Cistern Connections
(3-8)
Conservation Music
(K-5)
Everyone Come to
the Waterhole (K-1)
Follow the Leader
(3-8)
Heavy Load/Carry
(3-8)
Water History Trunk
(4-8)
Oil vs Water (5-8)
San Pedro River
Field trip
(call early for
dates)
Energy
Snap, Crackle,
and Pop (3-5)
Rolling River
* (3-8)
* Grade level
Culminating
activity with
prior class
preparation.
Three class
minimum
Water Web of Life
(3-8)
2. List your first choice date(s) and/or any special requests:
___________________
___________________
____________________
____________________
If you have questions or would like additional information about the WWES Program, please contact the Water
Wise and Energy Smart staff at 533-3420 or send an email to tom.wood4@us.army.mil
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, the University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.
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