Water is a precious and vital resource, essential for the flourishing of life.聽CU Science Discovery鈥檚 newest full-day STEM Workshop, Water in the West, explores the use聽of data to predict how access to water may change with climate change, the science of watershed and resource management, and energy storage and generation using water. Each of the three 75-minute learning modules will be centered around聽how we understand and use water in the west:

  • Science: Water is important in every part of our lives, from eating and drinking to cleaning and creating. The water cycle governs not only what we wear on any given day, but where and how we live our lives. This module will look at the properties of water, how water reacts with heat, the water cycle, precipitation, and how water can affect the weather around us.
  • Stewardship: Why do our communities form near rivers? What do rivers provide for us? How can we care for our rivers? Southwest Colorado is near the headwaters of several major river systems. Being high in the watershed of these waterways means we have a responsibility to those downriver, just as those upriver have a responsibility to us. In this module, participants will look at the science of a watershed, how rivers form and evolve, and what communities can do to help protect these limited and necessary resources. An understanding of how water interacts with the environment is the first step towards being responsible stewards of our shared resources.
  • Sustainability: As the world is generating more and more energy from renewable sources, how can we make sure the power stays on when the sun stops shining or the wind stops blowing? This module will聽explore how water plays a crucial role in addressing this challenge by generating and storing vast amounts of energy as needed. Participants will learn about the principles and applications of energy use and transformation with opportunities to generate and measure electricity and experiment with cutting-edge science and engineering.

Program logistics:

  • STEM Workshops can accommodate one聽to three full classes (90 students).
  • The Science Discovery team will arrive at your school the evening before, or early the morning of programs to set up all teaching materials and activities.
  • The workshop can run in a single, or multiple classrooms.
  • Ideally, two and three-class workshops will have access to an auditorium or multipurpose room for a group introduction and wrap-up activities.
  • Programming can accommodate full-day and period-based schedules with three 45-75 minute modules.
  • Sample schedule (75-minute modules):
    • 9-9:45am: Introduction
    • 9:45-11am: Module One
    • 11-11:45am: Lunch
    • 11:45am-1pm: Module Two
    • 1-1:15pm: Break
    • 1:15-2:30pm: Module Three
    • 2:30-3pm: Wrap-Up

Intrigued by聽this topic but looking for a different format? Consider聽Science Discovery's聽Immersive聽Professional Development STEM Experiences -聽a unique PD model featuring day-long, activity-based programs for teams composed of one聽teacher and five students.

For additional information or to begin planning your Water in the West聽STEM Workshop,聽contact Scott Sieke via email.