InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Water Science and Society > Student Materials > Section 3: Social Science of Water > Module 10: Solving the Water Crisis? > Summative Assessement: A Water Portfolio
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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For the Instructor

These student materials complement the Water Science and Society Instructor Materials. If you would like your students to have access to the student materials, we suggest you either point them at the Student Version which omits the framing pages with information designed for faculty (and this box). Or you can download these pages in several formats that you can include in your course website or local Learning Managment System. Learn more about using, modifying, and sharing InTeGrate teaching materials.

Summative Assessement: A Water Portfolio

Instructions

We will follow up on the initial work you did for the Module 8 on Phoenix. You will need to complete a first draft of the written assignment described below for class. In the first half of the class period, you will have the opportunity to look at a water atlas for the region, and to discuss your portfolio with classmates to refine it. In the second half of class you'll briefly present your plan, followed by discussion (and critique).

  1. Pick a city from the list below or propose one (note: you must register your selection with your instructor to prevent duplication). Develop a water portfolio for the future that you believe will solve the problem of water scarcity. Note the percentage of water from each of the sources (including re-use or conservation), and provide a rationale for each component using bullet points or brief text.
    • Los Angeles
    • Las Vegas
    • Denver
    • Dubai
    • Delhi
    • Cairo
    • Benghazi
    • Mexico City
    • Khartoum
    • Addis Ababa
    • Tehran
  2. Begin to outline the estimated costs, the risks (financial, natural, environmental, political), the benefits, and any issues (e.g. cultural, psychological, religious) you anticipate you will need to confront.

The U.S. Geological Survey Ground Water Atlas of the United States is available on the USGS site.

Submitting your Assignment

If you are taking this as a blended class, you will be working on this lab in class and handing it in at the end of the session. If you are taking this class fully online, you will upload your portfolio to your course management system (e.g., Canvas).

Grading Information and Rubric

A scoring rubric will be provided by your instructor.

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »