Each Step Is Worth It

Each Step is Worth It

     In our freshman STEAM class, our first unit was water. The curriculum of our school focuses on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and water is goal six. But for the first couple of weeks it was not mainly focused on water itself. A lot of different pieces led up to starting the water class. We went over math, proportions, percents, and conversions. This was to help us get back into the flow of school and also begin to think of how this relates to water. Some of the problems that we did were examples of bodies of water. It could be how turning the amount of water from a river in China a percentage of water in China. We also talked about countries that have lack of access to water resources and good sanitation. Not only is it in third world countries but also in the most prosperous ones like the United States. Stepping aside from the math aspect of it, we started to cover basic water facts. How much water is there on Earth and what is a percent of that from the entire planet. I thought that this was a good step or a easy way to test the water. We then began to go on Field Experiences where as a class, we go out into the world and try to feel the way others do with this certain task, whether it be hunger or water. Our first excursion was going on the Chicago River Water Taxi. The point of this was to experience how people interact with the river. We were only on the taxi for a short period of time but it was fun to see how different people utilized this source of water. Some people use it for transportation and some for their job. We also were told to notice how buildings along the river either looked away from it or really brought it in as a piece of the area around the building. For example, the Greyhound bus parking garage had its buses "having their backs" to the river whereas a couple buildings really embraced the river like homes as if they were a part of their backyards.

     We also went to the Chicago River to collect water and bring it back to the school. This was to really feel as people on the other side of the world probably feel when they have to walk farther than we did and more times than once a day. The assignment was to bring whatever we found would be a creative way to transport the water so I brought a dolly and a five gallon bucket. I found this outing enjoyable because even though it might not be that difficult for one trip, it gets harder as you do more trips. This led to starting our presentation of this. We created posters that show how much water we use a day and comparing it with an average American and someone in another country. This then led to working on the final piece. This final step was a poster that showed our water usage and compared it to the U.S and another country of our choice. The second country I chose was Japan. I also included the websites on the poster that allowed me to determine my water footprint and water usage estimate. Another thing I added was a call to action about Water For People. Water For People is a organization trying to help raise money to grant access of clean water and sanitation for countries that need it around the world. The poster that I created is down below.

Water Poster, GS, 2019

     One of the things I most enjoy about the poster is the title I created, Each Step is Worth It. I find this title fascinating and I hope others do as well because you really begin to think about how far people in different countries must walk to get water every day. If you begin to wonder about this and you want to help raise awareness for people with lack of water and sanitation go to waterforpeople.org. There you can donate to help save lives and keep people healthy when they have clean water. If you also want to know your water usage estimate and water footprint, you can use the links at the bottom of the poster. Many people struggle with water everywhere. Its time that we as a community help grant access of water to everyone.

Sources

United States Geological Survey, USGS, 24 September, 2019.