Bring on the Rain!
Lesson Overview
Goals
- Explain how their rain catchment system functions
Outcomes
Teaching Primer
Rainwater catchment systems come in all shapes and sizes. Some are made commercially while others are weekend DIY projects. Either way, the basic elements are the same. There is an area where the rain hits called the collection area. This is usually a rooftop. It flows downhill and is collected by the conveyance system. A series of gutters and piping move the harvested rainwater into a storage tank.
The system can be made more complex with the integration of filters or even a treatment system to make the water safe for drinking. Of course, there is also a way to access the water for use later. Most often that includes a hose bib that allows for the connection of a garden hose.
No matter how complex or basic your system, it’s good to understand the way the various parts work independently and in concert. Installing your rain catchment system with the Students will give them an opportunity to better understand the function and design of the system.
Teach the Teacher
Tools & Materials
- Instructions included with your rain catchment system
- Rain catchment system compatible with your existing gutter system
- Tools are listed in your system instructions
Vocabulary
- Collection area
- Conveyance system
- Daisy chain
Method
Introduction (10 minutes)
Begin the lesson by explaining how rain catchment systems work. Review with the Students how the water will be collected from the rooftop, stored until needed, and then moved to the Lab where it can be used for the plants.
Activity (20 minutes)
Because each catchment system and building gutter system is different, please refer to the instructions that were included with your system. Follow the steps to install the system allowing the Students to assist as much as is safely possible along the way.
Discussion (10 minutes)
What do we need to monitor to ensure that the system is operating efficiently? What are the most common issues we might face?What happens once our tank is full? Where will the additional water go?
Assessment (5 minutes)
Use the following questions to assess the Students before and after the lesson. Tally the responses of the group in the Assessment Tracking Log for comparison:
- By a show of hands, how many of you think you could install this rain catchment system all by yourself?
- Now that you’ve seen how the system is installed, how many of you think you could show someone else how to install the system?
Related Lessons
Give the Intermediate or Advanced lessons a try now that you’ve completed the Beginner Lesson!
This lesson, and all other lessons on this website, are intended for use by teachers in the classroom. These lessons are protected by US and International copyright laws. Reproduction or distribution of lesson content, supporting materials, or digital creative is prohibited with written permission from Modern Steader LLC.
