Water Matters
Water Matters
Water is the essence of life on Earth, playing a crucial role in sustaining all living things, including humans. In the Water Matters module, students will explore the flow of energy and matter through Texas’s water resources while deepening their understanding of key 6th-8th grade science concepts, including:
- Matter & Energy—Mixture and solution chemistry;
- Earth & Space—The hydrosphere, water pollution, and conservation; and
- Organisms & the Environments—The interdependence between living systems and the environment and taxonomic classification.
This collection was created in collaboration with JASON Learning and Region 4 Education Service Center located in Houston, TX.
Included Materials
Included Materials
Students gain access to a module featuring six activities, each designed to be completed in 25 minutes while aligning with grade-level TEKS. Learn more in our Educator Overview.
Stage 1: Water Quality & Public Health
Uncover the amazing ways water mixes into our daily lives! Students will become “Water Mixture Explorers,” classifying and identifying their interactions with water. They will test the quality of various water sources and analyze the consumer confidence report for their school's water supply, deepening their understanding of water composition, safety, and real-world applications.
Stage 2: Maritime & Seafood Industries
Explore the vital connection between water resources and the maritime and seafood industries, which play a key role in both the economy and environmental conservation. Students will investigate how environmental sensors collect data that inform decisions to protect marine ecosystems while supporting Texas's economy. They will also examine the factors that create distinct water zones—such as temperature, salinity, and density—and analyze how weather events can impact the stability of these aquatic layers.
Activity 3: Water Infrastructure & Planning
Students will investigate how water resources shape urban planning, from sewage systems to flood control, ensuring sustainable communities. They’ll analyze Texans’ current water usage, the factors affecting supply, and the innovative strategies being used to meet the state’s growing water needs—preparing them to think critically about the future of water conservation and infrastructure.
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
watershed, surface water, natural disasters, human impact, aqueous solution, solute, solvent, homogenous mixture, heterogeneous mixtures, water pollution, conservation, and technology.
Appropriate Age Levels
Appropriate Age Levels
Grades 6-8
Subscription Term
Subscription Term
One year
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