Water, Water, Everywhere?

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  • Lesson Activities
    • Introduction
    • Access to Clean Water: What Is the Problem?
    • Global Water Issues
    • Your Challenge
    • The Engineering Design Process
    • Phase 1 - Regional Information on Water Issues
    • Water Quality: Possible Solutions
    • Sample Water Purification Systems
    • Water Quality Resources
    • Phase 2 - Consider Constraints and Explore Possibilities
    • Select an Approach and Develop a Design Proposal
    • Make a Prototype and Test Your Design
    • Refine Your Design and Create Your Final System
    • Communicate Your Results
    • Phase 3 - Build Your Presentation
    • Final Presentation
  • Student Resources
    • Table of Contents
    • Glossary
    • Engineering Portfolio
    • More to Explore
    • Rubric for Design Proposal
    • Rubric for Multimedia Presentation
  • Teacher Resources
    • Lesson Preparation
    • Lesson Overview
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  • Final Project
  • Glossary

Select an Approach and Develop a Design Proposal

glass of water

Now that you have explored different possibilities, it is time for your team to select an approach . In choosing a solution, consider:

  • How does your system work to remove contaminants? Does it remove both chemical and physical contaminants?
  • Can this system be produced inexpensively?
  • Can this system be scaled up if necessary? What modifications would you need to make?

Briefly describe your approach on page 8 of your Engineering Portfolio.

Next, review the components of a design proposal on page 9, and write your design proposal on pages 10-12 in your Engineering Portfolio. Your design proposal should describe the problem of access to clean water and how your system can help. As part of this design proposal, you will need to create a technical drawing. You have two options: draw your proposed water purification system in your Engineering Portfolio on page 12, or use a design tool like SketchUp.com opens in new window. You may also wish to review the rubric for this activity before beginning.

Once your design proposal is complete, submit it to your teacher for approval.

Teacher Note

Before students begin, have them turn to pages 9-12 of their Engineering Portfolios. Be available for questions as students continue to work in their STEM teams to develop their proposals. Students have the option of developing their technical drawing using SketchUp.com opens in new window.

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Essential Questions

  • How can the engineering design process be used to solve real-life problems?
  • What are some effective methods for purifying water?
  • What factors need to be considered when making recommendations about access to clean water?
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