Science Fenns K-5Grades K to 5
A low stock tank with cracked mud at the edges and a single cow standing nearby in dry grass.

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Why We Conserve

What happens when a resource runs low.

Lesson 32 of 41

Try this first

Before we start

Today’s story

Why We Conserve

A rancher watches the stock tank in a long dry summer. Each day the water drops an inch. If it dries up, the cattle have nothing to drink.

Some resources can be used up. Water, oil, and good soil can run low. To conserve means to use less so there is enough for later. Conserving helps people, plants and animals.

When we waste a resource, it may run out. Then everyone has to do without. Here are the steps.

See it

Five steps. Every time.

    Hands on

    Catch the Water

    20 minutes · Do this with a grown-up nearby

    You need

    • A sink with a tap
    • A bucket
    • A measuring cup
    • A timer
    • Paper and pencil

    Do this

    1. Write a question like How much water runs from the tap in one minute.
    2. Predict how many cups it will be.
    3. Turn the tap on to a gentle flow over the bucket.
    4. Time ten seconds, then turn it off.
    5. Pour the water into the cup and write the amount.
    6. Run the tap into the bucket for a full minute and measure that too.
    7. Write when it would be smart to turn the tap off.
    Write or draw: A table with two rows, ten seconds and one minute, and the cups of water for each.

    Watch for: Even a gentle flow adds up fast. Compare the minute total with your prediction.

    Safety: Work over the sink, wipe up spills so nobody slips, and pour the used water on a plant.

    Same every time

    Three rules

    Rule 1Take only what you need.

    Waste hurts everyone.

    Rule 2Think ahead.

    Today's use changes what is left.

    Rule 3Share.

    Other people and animals need it too.

    Grandpa Fenn’s notebook

    Say it like a scientist

    conserve
    To use less of a resource so it lasts longer.
    limited
    Only so much and no more.
    waste
    To use something carelessly.
    drought
    Many dry weeks in a row with little rain.

    Poppy’s quiz

    Six questions

    Tap an answer. Green means right. You will see why.

    Talk about it

    Say it out loud

    • How do you know a resource is running low? What signs might you see?
    • What could your family do to use less water or electricity?
    Did you know

    A faucet that drips once a second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water in a year.

    Someone who does this

    A water manager checks how much water a town has and plans how to share it.

    BeforeResources We UseNext lessonReduce, Reuse, Recycle