Water Sustainability PSA Exhibition
The Essential Question
Since water is a social equity, environmental, and economic issue,
how are we responsible for water as a sustainable resource?
At the start of the Water Unit you were introduced to the concept of
sustainability. One definition of sustainable is “to live in a way that
meets our needs without risking the ability of future generations to meet
their needs”. Then we studied the water cycle and distribution, the
unique properties of water, types of water contamination, and water
treatment. To conclude the Water Unit, you will work in a group to
prepare a short Public Service Announcement (PSA) video on a Water
Sustainability Issue. You will present your video to your classmates and
middle school students at the end of the exhibition.
What should we do in our PSA video?
In order to make an effective and scientifically
credible PSA video, you should do the following:
 Describe a water sustainability issue in detail
 Analyze the 3 E impacts of the issue
(social equity, environmental, and economic)
 Use chemistry concepts that connect, relate, support your PSA
 Communicate a clear message or call to action
How will I be assesed for this exhibition?
Describe the 3 E Impacts
“Why do we care? Acid rain has a huge impact on rivers, and lakes, building
and statues and on people. The biggest impact is on aquatic environments.
Most fish eggs can’t hatch in acidic water, for example, and even if there are
organisms that can withstand the acidification, it disrupts the ecosystem
because the food chain may be broken.”
“Acid rain also breaks down the materials of buildings and statues, as you can
see here in Washington. [Video available of buildings in Washington being
destroyed.] It costs money to clean this up or rebuild when we have to.”
“Because clouds don’t stay inside countries or states, acid rain pollution often
affects the people who didn’t make the pollution. In other words, the pollution
from a coal-powered plant here in the United States can cause acid rain to fall
on forests and rivers in Mexico or Canada, and they are left with the costs.”
Communicate a Clear Message
Coal is one of the cheapest ways to create electricity, but it creates
terrible problems for the future through air pollution. We need to build
wind farms & use solar energy, both of which don’t pollute as much.
Many countries including the US now have laws that power plants can’t
emit sulfur dioxide (the compound that makes acid rain), but we need to
think about how much electricity we use, and how often we take cars,
busses & other motorized transport. Walk and bike whenever you can,
and save electricity by buying less stuff. Remember: the planet is your
responsibility, and your pollution today can impact people, animals and
the environment all over the planet.
Acid Rain Storyboard & Scripting
Acid Rain Storyboard & Scripting
Act it out
Voice Over Video
Moving Flashcards
Paper Animation
Narrate
Demo & Explain
Insert Image or Video
Voice Over Image
What should we do in our PSA video?
In order to make an effective and scientifically
credible PSA video, you should do the following:
 Describe a water sustainability issue in detail
 Analyze the 3 E impacts of the issue
(social equity, environmental, and economic)
 Use chemistry concepts that connect, relate, support your PSA
 Communicate a clear message or call to action
Special Notes on Filming
• Always use the SAME camera and flashdrive
• Rehearse with script, then film the scene
• Always leave 1 or 2 seconds of silence at the
beginning and end of each scene for editing
• Stay aware of noise and lighting in your filming space
• Always keep the camera in the vertical position
• Use tripod for steady filming
• You MUST use the special filming hallway pass
• All voice over image or video will be done last in library