Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1250
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2022-1250
24 Nov 2022
 | 24 Nov 2022

Water and Us: tales and hands-on laboratories to educate on sustainable and nonconflictual water resources management

Francesca Munerol, Francesco Avanzi, Eleonora Panizza, Marco Altamura, Simone Gabellani, Lara Polo, Marina Mantini, Barbara Alessandri, and Luca Ferraris

Abstract. Climate change and water security are among the grand challenges of the 21st century, but literacy on these matters among high-school students is often unsystematic and/or far from the real world. To contribute advancing education in a warming climate and prepare next generations to play their role in future societies, we designed "Water and Us", a three-module initiative focusing on the natural and anthropogenic water cycle, climate change, and conflicts. The method of Water and Us resolves around storytelling to aid understanding and generate new knowledge, learning by doing, a flipped classroom environment, and a constant link to the real world – such as the archetypal events of the California snow drought or the seeds of conflicts around transnational river basins. Water and Us was established in 2021, and since then has involved 200+ students in a proof of concept to test the didactic approach in small-scale experiments. Results from 40+ hours of events confirm that students are generally aware of climate change (90 %), but have sparse knowledge of the concrete actions that are in place to mitigate or adapt (up to 20 %). Understanding of the water cycle by students is often anchored to a naturalistic, but fictitious view where human interference is minimal. Our approach conveys key elements of the contemporary, natural/anthropogenic water cycle, how this cycle is challenged by warmer temperatures and declining snowpacks, and how education can contribute to avoiding maladaptation and conflicts. While this initiative is being channelled in awareness projects at various levels, the Water and Us team remains interested in networking with colleagues and potential recipients to scale up and further develop this work.

Francesca Munerol et al.

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1250', Larissa van der Laan, 03 Jan 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Francesco Avanzi, 28 Mar 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2022-1250', Maurits Ertsen, 01 Feb 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Francesco Avanzi, 28 Mar 2023

Francesca Munerol et al.

Francesca Munerol et al.

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Short summary
To contribute advancing education in a warming climate and prepare next generations to play their role in future societies, we designed "Water and Us", a three-module initiative focusing on the natural and anthropogenic water cycle, climate change, and conflicts. Results from 40+ hours of events confirm that students are generally aware of climate change (90 %), but have sparse knowledge of the concrete actions that are in place to mitigate or adapt (up to 20 %).