Share with your students the importance of safeguarding water supplies and advocating for sustainable management of freshwater resources .
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Connects to the UN Sustainable Development Goals # 6 and #14.
Students watch the following films about communities coming together to protect water and their leaders before considering the discussion questions.
This can be a whole class activity or assign small groups of students a film to watch and use one of the suggested class activities for students to share what they learned.
Films About Heroes Who Worked to Protect Water Sources Within Their Own Communities
Shot over 5 days as 300 tribes from around the world came to support the the Standing Rock Sioux in their resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The remaining Mattaponi Native American tribe live as a village of sustainable fisherman, fight a proposed reservoir that could threaten their way of life, bringing salt water into their river and destroying their fish population.
Farmers come together to fight against mineral mining companies who are threatening their water sources.
Máxima Acuña, a subsistence farmer in Peru’s northern highlands, stood up to Newmont Mining Corporation!
Short film demonstrating how these students in Sierra Leone get water.
Films About Heroes Who Work to Protect the Oceans and Marine Life Living There
Examples of Young People Making a Postitive Difference in Their Own Communities
Students are encouraged to watch the following film, The Last Straw, to learn about one boy's efforts to lessen pollution and decrease the use of fossil fuels in order to protect waterways.
Call to Action: What can you do to decrease the use of straws in your home, school and community?
Nine-year-old Milo Cress is concerned about the millions of straws that pollute waterways, waste fossil-fuel resource and harm ocean creatures. With the help of some friends, he convinces restaurants to “go straw-free”.
Students read the following story about Trash Heroes, an international volunteer organization of youth who work to clean and prevent plastic waste in their communities.
Call to Action: Students are encouraged to work together to clean areas of their community and prevent plastic waste.
Students Read these Stories of Present-Day Water Conservation Heroes, and One from the Past and Consider the Discussion Questions and Activity.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an eco-warrior defending the earth for future generations.
J.N. (Ding) Darling was a conservationist and cartoonist who used his art to raise awareness about the environment.
Stories With Text and Audio Allowing Students to Listen and Read Along
Fin Donnelly swims to raise awareness of water pollution and is now a member of Canada's House of Commons.
Discussion Questions
1. How has each of the people featured in the films and stories raised awareness about the environment, especially the need to conserve and protect Earth's water?
2. Why is it so important to protect and conserve Earth's water?
3. How does pollution affect climate change and sustainable water sources?
4. What can you do? Create an action plan, get others involved and share your story with MY HERO.
Learning Outcomes
Students will develop an understanding of the importance of safeguarding the earth's water. By learning about the efforts of activists working to protect the water in their communities, students are encouraged to come up with an action plan that will have a positive impact on protecting sustainable water sources. The film, The Last Straw, demonstrates that young people can make a difference.
Background About World Water Day
The UN General Assembly designated March 22, 1993 as the first World Water Day to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
The theme for 2021 is "Valuing Water" - water has enormous and complex value for our households, food, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment.
SDG 6 is to ensure water and sanitation for all.
SDG 14 is to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
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The World Water Day lesson plan was curated by MY HERO Education Outreach Director Laura Nietzer. |
Students can share their Hero Essays, Films and Art through our Create Program
Outstanding essays submitted to MY HERO will be considered for a certificate/t-shirt prize or be featured on the Story Homepage.
Submit your artwork to be entered in the MY HERO art contest or to be exhibited on our Gallery Homepage.
Students can submit their films for free with a waiver to the MY HERO International Film Festival.
MY HERO Multimedia Related Content
MY HERO Calendars for use in the Classroom
MY HERO's Teachers Calendar Features Lesson Plans and Multimedia Resources
Learn about a New Hero Every Day of the Year: Use the MY HERO Calendar in the Classroom
Organizer created on 2/13/2020 11:51:11 AM by Laura Nietzer
Last edited 1/2/2024 4:42:25 PM by Laura Nietzer
