Description
In this real-world water pollution activity about the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, students will “engage in argument from evidence to explain that the good health of humans and the environment requires: monitoring of the hydrosphere, water quality standards, methods of water treatment, maintaining safe water quality, and stewardship”. They will learn more about the Cape Fear Water Crisis in North Carolina.
The Cape Fear River is a main source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people in North Carolina. Scientists discovered a group of chemicals called PFAS (sometimes called “forever chemicals”) in the river. One type, called GenX, came from a nearby industrial facility. Students will explore this problem as well as solutions.
✅ Download the preview and check out the sneak peek inside!
This lesson is flexible. Here are some suggestions for two 45-minute classes or one block lesson.
Day 1 (45 min)
- Hook (5 min): Four Corners Poll “Would you drink this water?”
- Background + Vocabulary (10 min): Read short summary together on student sheet, highlight key terms (stewardship, PFAS, point vs nonpoint, treatment steps)
- Data Investigation (20 min): Students work in groups with data table and guiding questions
Day 2 (45 min)
- Review Data (5 min): Brief recap from Day 1
- Role Prep (10 min): Students get role cards, meet with role teams
- Water Summit Debate (20 min): Groups present, rebut, and negotiate
- CER Wrap-Up (10 min): Students argue individually in writing whether stricter monitoring/treatment is needed
Block Lesson Option (90 minutes)
Run the full 2-day version in one class period.
Students get:
- Data analysis → deeper prep time
- Debate → longer rebuttal/discussion
- CER writing → more time for strong reasoning
At a Glance:
- Data analysis with data modeled after real-world patterns
- Role-play debate with four perspectives
- CER Writing
- Teacher directions and sample answer key included
- and more!
What’s included in this water pollution activity?:
- Teacher Slides and Student Sheets (background, data analysis, debate prep, CER)
- Four Corners Poll Posters
- Debate Role Cards
- Example Student KEY
- Teacher’s Guide
**This will support NC’s standard ESS.8.3.2.
**This lesson is a great supportive lesson for NGSS standards MS-ESS3-3 and MS-ESS3-4.-
★ This activity goes well with the following resources:
Pollution and Water Quality Standards Interactive Lesson
Water Quality Indicators Interactive Lesson
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Copyright © Bright in the Middle, Kayla Norville
Permission to copy for single classroom use only.
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