The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Thames Water Thames Water The Great DebateThe Great Debate Lesson plan 1Lesson plan 1

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

IntroductionIntroduction

At the end of this session you will: Have an awareness of water consumption in the UK

and how it relates to other parts of the world Be aware of the importance of water conservation and

efficiency in the UK Understand and be aware of your role in the next

session Be tasked to prepare and research for this role Have some simple tips to hand which will enable you

to reduce your own water consumption

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Introduction – The Scenario Introduction – The Scenario

Clear Water Park is a fictitious development of flats, starter homes, family houses, executive homes and businesses situated in Clear-Water on –Thames a beautiful part of the Thames Water region

Clear Water Park has been selected as an area to become one of the UK’s first showcase water neutral communities.

This will mean the whole town of Clear-Water-on-Thames offsetting the water consumption of the new development. Requiring a period of considerable change for the existing community while state of the art technology and new water efficient processes are installed.

The residents of Clear-Water-on-Thames and future residents of Clear Water Park have been asked to think about and possibly change their water consumption habits to ensure water neutrality.

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Introduction Continued – The Scenario Introduction Continued – The Scenario

You will be taking on the role of residents or panel representatives made up of

interested groups in a debate held by the Local Authority focusing on water

management and efficiency.

Some of you will be members of the panel, others will be residents with opinions to

voice.

You will be provided with Character Profile Cards but you may wish to make up your

own profile. You should develop your characters profile by matching them with

opinions and sound bites, and choose whether you are for or against the behaviour

and technological changes that may be required so that the community can become

water neutral.

Use the extra information provided to have facts and sound bites ready to support

your point of view.

Everyone is encouraged to raise points and ask questions.

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Debate ObjectivesDebate Objectives

Explain proposed plans for water efficiency and to get the agreement of residents for the use of proposed water efficiency measures

Gain information / opinions from existing residents and from interested parties

Reach a conclusion about whether becoming water neutral will benefit the existing and future residents of Clear Water on Thames and Clear Water Park.

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

CharactersCharacters The panel

Environmental Studies Student Environment Agency (EA) Regional Director Local Teenager Local Hotelier

New and Existing Residents Part-time Sales Executive Wealthy Resident Single Parent Water Company Worker New Hotel Manager Local Hairdresser Global Traveller Elderly Person Single Occupant Retired Person

The Observers Members of the local press

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Allocation of CharactersAllocation of Characters

Choose 2 of these characters, then use the character opinions, facts and soundbites information to build this character’s profile

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Characters, possible opinions and Characters, possible opinions and soundbitessoundbites

Character Image 1

Use the character, opinions and soundbites sheet to build this character profile

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Characters, possible opinions and Characters, possible opinions and soundbitessoundbites

Character Image 2

Use the character, opinions and soundbites sheet to build this character profile

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Input and discussion Input and discussion Water ConsumptionWater Consumption

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Why is careful water usage so important?Why is careful water usage so important?

The South-East of the UK has been identified as an area of water stress

During the past two decades we, in the UK, have been steadily increasing the amount of water we use.

In fact, we consume water so freely that most of the time we don’t even think about it.

But our lives would be very different if we didn’t have enough water.

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

How much water do we use? How much water do we use?

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

How much water do we use?How much water do we use?

My Daily ConsumptionMy Daily Consumption

Write here YOUR estimated daily consumption

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

How much water do we use?How much water do we use?

On average, each person in the UK uses 160 litres per day

But that’s okay – The UK gets loads of rain…

Doesn’t it?

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Rainfall Figures for Thames Water Rainfall Figures for Thames Water Region 1997 - 2007Region 1997 - 2007

Source Thames Water

Rainfall (mm)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Year

Rainfall (mm)

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

The Water cycleThe Water cycle

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

ConclusionConclusion Lowering your impactLowering your impact

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Lowering your impact – what can be Lowering your impact – what can be done?done? Use a shower ‘timer’ to make sure you only use

the water you need. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth – this

can save about 6 litres of water each time. Use a washing-up bowl or an efficient

dishwasher instead of washing-up under a running tap.

Encouraging your family to use water efficient and ‘eco friendly’ products like water-saving shower heads and ‘Hippo’ or ‘Save-a-flush’ bags

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Lowering your impact – what else can be Lowering your impact – what else can be done?done?

what can be done?what can be done?

Write your practical solutions here for lowering your consumption of water - becoming more water efficient

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

Research & preparationResearch & preparationThe The databankdatabank

The Great Debate Lesson Plan 1

DatabankDatabank

www.thameswater.co.uk/thegreatdebate/ Films and photos - view short films and photographs Water demand, saving and efficiency - find out

more about demand for, and how water can be saved or used more efficiently homes and business

Charts, diagrams and tables - asses your character’s likely water use. Find data and statistics to support your point of view

Quick facts and tips – for your role in the Great Debate and you