Requirement #1: Research and Reading

\(\boxed{\mathbb{REQ}\Large \rightsquigarrow}\) Choose A or B or C and complete all the requirements.

  1. Watch not less than three hours total of science-related shows or documentaries that discuss water as it relates to the hydrologic cycle, primary sources, primary users (including wildlife), health, sources of pollution, waste treatment, and related sciences and technologies. Then do the following:

    1. Make a list of at least five questions or ideas from the show(s) you watched.

    2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

    Tip

    Some examples include—but are not limited to—shows found on PBS (“NOVA”), Discovery Channel, Science Channel, National Geographic Channel, TED Talks (online videos), History Channel, the National Academy of Sciences YouTube Channel, and www.waterblues.org. You may choose to watch a live performance or movie developed by a local museum or state or federal agency. You may watch online productions with your counselor’s approval and under your parent’s or guardian’s supervision.

  2. Read (not less than three hours total) about water as it relates to the hydrologic cycle, primary sources, primary users, health, sources of pollution, waste treatment, and related sciences and technologies. Then do the following:

    1. Make a list of at least five questions or ideas from each article.

    2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

    Tip

    Examples of magazines include—but are not limited to—[Odyssey, Popular Science, Science Illustrated, Natural History, Scientific American, Nature Conservancy, Sage Magazine, Smithsonian, National Geographic, LakeLine, and WaterWorld.

  3. Do a combination of reading and watching (not less than three hours total). Then do the following:

    1. Make a list of at least five questions or ideas from each article or show.

    2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

Additional Challenge

  1. True of False? Water is the only substance found on earth naturally in three forms.

  2. At what temperature does water freeze?

  3. At what temperature does water vaporize?

  4. How long can a person live without food? How long can a person live without water?

  5. How much of the earth’s surface is water?

  6. In the US, how many households use private wells for their water supply?

  7. How much water is used in the average five-minute shower?

    Those questions were compiled by the EPA (see box under requirement #4 to learn more about the EPA). More questions are available at EPA. (solutions are provided there)

alternate text

In the hydrologic cycle, water is transferred between the land surface, the ocean, and the atmosphere. Image obtained from Encyclopedia Britannica (click on image for full reference).

Attention

Once you have completed this requirement, make sure you document it in your worksheet!