AP Physics 1 Project Spring 2016

California Drought: Research and Potential Solutions to reduce impact

Purpose of Project: We live in an arid environment in which our survival depends on obtaining water from other regions. As populations and farming has increased, the amount of water usage has increased, putting greater stress on the system of water distribution to Southern California. In this project you will work in small groups to a) investigate the source of water, how its transported, reasons (evidence) for the drought and b) develop one way of reducing the impacts of the drought on a small or large scale.

Grading: There are 2 parts to the grading. There is a two part paper. The first part of the paper is focused on researching the water sources and drought conditions: this is worth 15 points (lab grade). The second part of the paper involves developing a possible solution or way of reducing water consumption. The second part includes the second part of the paper and a presentation to the class (3-5 minutes). This second part (paper & presentation) is worth 15 points and is a quiz/test grade.

Group Project: You may do this in small groups, no larger than 4 people. You will have a few full class periods to work on this and your project should reflect this.

Part 1 (Paper and research)

Paper should address:

1.  Sources of water (focused on San Diego)

a.  Where do we get our water?

2.  Water usage:

a.  Where does it go

b.  Historical usage trends

c.  Include data, evidence

3.  Evidence/ causes of drought

a.  Why are we in a drought?

4.  Physics / engineering challenges of transporting water

a.  Moving water from northern to southern California (there are mountains)

b.  Dams and reservoirs

c.  Clean water

Part 2 (Paper and presentation)

1.  Address the issue of water conservation or availability. You are tasked to develop or create some way to address the issue of conserving water or improving availability.

2.  Possible ideas….

a.  A product which reduces water consumption

b.  A service of some sort

c.  Ways of improving water availability

d.  Engineering a new way of “making” or transporting water.

e.  Some other idea?

3.  Paper (part 2) must address

a.  Impact of your “solution”: who and how?

b.  Possible economic affects

c.  Timeline for implementation

Grading Criteria

Part 1 (15 points, Project grade)

·  Address the 4 areas outlined above.

·  Must include evidence and data

·  Include relevant work cited and bibliography

Part 2 (15 points, Test grade)

·  Well developed idea or solution with supporting background

·  Include info on significance or impact of your idea / solution

·  Presentation: enthusiasm, clear, fact based.