Water-Focused Educational Outreach Program Aligned to Missouri Learning Standards (MLS) for Science (Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) and Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Purpose
Overall Structure
Note on Missouri Standards
Missouri Learning Standards (MLS) for Science are organized by four strands: Earth and Space Sciences; Engineering, Technology, and Application of Science; Life Sciences; and Physical Sciences. Expectations are grade-specific in K-5 and organized in grade bands for 6 – 8 and 9 – 12. Codes below use the common MLS format (e.g., 2.ESS2.C.1, 9 – 12.ESS2, 9 – 12.ETS1). Educators should consult the official Missouri Learning Standards Science Expectations, Progressions, and Expanded Expectations on the DESE website (dese.mo.gov) for full wording, clarification statements, and connections to Science and Engineering Practices.
Implementation and Publication Notes
Theme: “Water is Essential – Needs and Simple Tools Scope”
Observe water in the environment; identify how plants and animals use water; ask questions and design simple tools or solutions related to water access or use. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“My Water Helper” – Student-designed and labeled drawing or simple prototype of a tool that helps a plant or animal get water, with a short explanation of how it works and why water is important. Suitable for display or sharing with the water division as “Junior Helpers.”
Theme: “Water Shapes Our World and Solutions to Protect Land Scope”
Map landforms and bodies of water; explain forms and locations of water; design and compare solutions to slow or prevent water from changing the land. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Protect Our Land” – Model or labeled diagram of a tested solution (dike, barrier, or planting design) with comparison data and a recommendation. Presented in a classroom display highlighting local water infrastructure.
Theme: “Weather, Water Patterns, and Environmental Changes Scope”
Explore weather and water patterns; examine how environmental changes affect water availability and living things; begin simple design solutions. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Water Weather Report & Care Plan” – Poster or digital slide deck showing local water/weather patterns and one recommended action to protect water resources, shared with class and/or school (students, teachers, administrators).
Theme: “Water Changes Earth’s Surface and Human Impact Scope”
Investigate how water causes weathering and erosion; examine natural resources and human impacts; design solutions related to water hazards or resource protection. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Local Water Challenge Solution” – Group effort, prototype or detailed plan addressing a water-related surface change or hazard, with testing notes presented to class.
Theme: “Earth’s Water Systems and Clean Drinking Water Scope”
Model interactions among Earth’s systems with emphasis on the hydrosphere; graph distribution of Earth’s water; design and test methods to produce clean drinking water. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Clean Water Design Challenge Portfolio” – Small group effort, tested filtration prototype, data tables, graph of Earth’s water; oral presentation recommending a method for clean water or school showcase.
Theme: “Watersheds, Human Impact, and Design Modeling Scope”
Model water cycling in watersheds; analyze human impacts; apply the engineering design process and basic modeling to water-related problems. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Watershed Protection Model” – Physical or digital model of a local watershed with one engineered improvement, plus a design brief (short MLA standard report) and presentation.
Theme: “Ecosystems, Water Quality, and Solution Evaluation Scope”
Examine ecosystem interactions involving water; analyze water quality factors; evaluate and improve engineering solutions for water challenges. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Water Quality Improvement Proposal” – Written report in the form of a “Letter to” or digital portfolio (likewise local water sytem-centric)with tested solution, data, evaluation against criteria and constraints, and recommendation for the local water system.
Theme: “Infrastructure, Materials, Automation, and Systems Scope”
Investigate materials and structures for water infrastructure; explore automation and monitoring; apply systems thinking to water challenges. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Smart Water System Design” – Prototype or detailed plan for an automated monitoring or infrastructure solution, with testing data and systems diagram, presented as if to division representatives (peers, teachers, and/or administrators may fill the role of industry experts. Class/school specific rubric recommended as guide.)
Theme: “Earth’s Water Systems, Hydrologic Cycle, and Human Impacts Scope”
Develop models and analyze data on the water cycle, unique properties of water, interactions among Earth’s systems (hydrosphere focus), distribution and availability of freshwater, and human impacts on water resources and system feedback. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Local Watershed Systems Analysis Portfolio” – Multi-part portfolio including a detailed model of the local watershed and hydrologic cycle, data analysis of hydrosphere changes or feedbacks, scientific explanation of water’s properties and human impacts, and recommendations for sustainable management.
Theme: “Chemistry of Water, Solutions, and Treatment Processes Scope”
Investigate the molecular structure and properties of water, solutions and solubility, acids/bases and pH in natural and treated water, chemical reactions relevant to water treatment, and quantitative analysis of water quality parameters. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Municipal Water Treatment Chemistry Investigation Report” – Formal scientific report based on labs or division data, including data tables, graphs, chemical explanations, evaluation of a treatment step, and recommendations (suitable for hypothetical lab staff feedback).
Theme: “Water in Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Resource Management Scope”
Examine the role of water in ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles, effects of water quality and availability on populations and biodiversity, human impacts on aquatic systems, and science-based strategies for protecting water resources and ecosystem services. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Aquatic Ecosystem & Water Resource Impact Study” – Research or field-based investigation report analyzing water quality and ecosystem effects, with evidence-based management or conservation recommendations (presented to community stakeholders of school-centric panel).
Theme: “Integrated Water Science – Research, Modeling, and Solution Evaluation Scope”
Synthesize Earth systems, physical science/chemistry, and life science concepts in an open-ended or guided research project focused on a complex local or regional water challenge. Emphasis on advanced modeling, data analysis, scientific argumentation, and evaluation of solutions. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Senior Water Science Capstone Research Portfolio & Defense” – Comprehensive portfolio containing research questions, methods, data analysis and models, scientific argumentation, evaluation of solutions, and professional presentation or defense. Projects may be co-developed with local colleges or universities if new or existing relations have been or are being curated).
Theme: “Engineering Design Process and Water Resource Challenges Scope”
Apply the full engineering design process to authentic community water problems; model Earth systems and water resources. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Community Water Challenge Design Brief & Concept Portfolio” – Formal design documentation, 3D models or sketches, and presentation of a solution to a local water issue.
Theme: “Water Chemistry, Materials, Energy, and Infrastructure Principles Scope”
Investigate chemistry of water treatment; apply principles of materials, structures, energy, and mechanisms to water systems. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Treatment or Distribution System Analysis & Redesign” – Lab report or engineering notebook with chemical testing data, materials analysis, and proposed improvement, suitable for division review.
Theme: “Civil & Environmental Engineering for Sustainable Water Systems Scope”
Apply civil engineering and architecture principles to water infrastructure; design sustainable solutions for clean water access, treatment, and distribution. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project” – Complete design package (drawings, models, sustainability analysis, cost/impact considerations) addressing a real or simulated local water need.
Theme: “Independent Engineering Design & Development for Water Challenges Scope”
Conduct open-ended research and apply the full engineering design process to an authentic water-related problem. Suggested Sequence
Key Standards
Signature Artifact
“Senior Capstone Engineering Portfolio & Presentation” – Comprehensive documentation of an original solution to a water challenge (prototype or detailed model, data, justification, and professional presentation). Ideal for division judging, internships, or public showcase.
