Peace Corps

Soil Runoff Challenge

Peace Corps Challenge Game

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  • Subject(s): Language Arts & Literature, Social Studies & Geography, Environment & Health
  • Grade Level(s): 6–8, 9–12

Overview

Enhance the experiences from the soil runoff challenge of the Peace Corps Challenge game with lesson plans and additional resources from World Wise Schools.

Background Information

Factoids from the Game:

  • Runoff crossing over the surface of a field carries away pollutants that it deposits in other waters, including streams, rivers, wetlands, oceans, and groundwater--the that sits below the surface of the Earth that can be tapped by wells for household water. Source: EPA: Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution
  • "Each individual can play an important role by practicing conservation and by changing certain everyday habits. Keep litter, pet wastes, leaves, and debris out of street gutters and storm drains--these outlets drain directly to lake, streams, rivers, and wetlands." Source: EPA: What you can do to prevent NPS pollution
  • The biggest threats to the health of the seas comes not from pollution at sea but from people's actions on land. About four-fifths of pollution at sea comes from land-based actions. Source: United Nations Environment Programme

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Procedures

Play the soil runoff challenge.

Lesson plans:

  • Soil Runoff (Grades 6–8 and 9–12)
    When the ground is saturated or impermeable to water during heavy rains or snow melt, excess water flows over the surface of the land until it eventually collects in low spots such as ponds, rivers or lakes. This is called runoff. Students will explore several ways in which the lake at Wanzuzu can be protected from further soil run-off and how as a Peace Corps Volunteer they could help their community. The following teacher suggestions are designed to enhance the students learning while focusing on one of the challenges (soil runoff) addressed in the Peace Corps Challenge on-line game.
  • Fighting Soil Erosion (Grades 3–8)
    • Lesson plan: These activities will help develop a foundational understanding of soil erosion.
    • Slide show: Steve Jacobson, a former Peace Corps Volunteer, shares his experience and the different strategies Guineans are using to address soil erosion through a narrated slide show.
  • NOAA: Coastal Management (Grades 9–12)
    Explores causes, impacts, and solutions to contaminated runoff.


Additional Resources:

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Framework and Standards

Standards

  • English Language Arts Standards
    • Standard 1
  • National Science Education Standards
    • Content Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
  • Social Studies:
    • Theme I: Culture and Cultural Diversity
    • Theme III : People, Places, and Environments
    • Theme IX: Global Connections

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