Rainwater Harvesting Curriculum Unit
What’s cool about rainwater harvesting in a warming world?
Climate Change in New Mexico is causing an increase in average temperatures, less precipitation in the form of snowpack, and an increase in extreme storm events during warmer times of year with more evaporation leading to increased aridification.
Water in the form of precipitation moves through the watershed by flowing over surfaces as runoff, gathering quantity and momentum as it is pulled by gravity. When flowing over impermeable or semi-impermeable surfaces water will eventually leave the watershed through the arroyo system. When allowed to slow and spread out over permeable surfaces, the water will infiltrate into the soil to be taken up and used by plants or move down into the groundwater system, staying within the watershed.
With the Rainwater Harvesting Curriculum, students use the engineering design process to design rainwater harvesting systems that create green stormwater infrastructure allowing runoff to infiltrate into the soil, cool the space, and support native plants. Students take a watershed approach to study their school yard to determine the best placement and plan for their system. With the knowledge they acquire, they will understand clearly how to build resiliency when responding to local climate threats of increased temperatures, extreme storm events, and persistent drought.
