Breakout Box
Wondering About Water
Grade Levels: Middle School,High School
Water usage and conservation is an important issue. Only one percent of the total water supply on Earth is available for humans. Of that, 42 percent is used in agriculture. Not all freshwater resources are evenly distributed. In Kansas, water usage and water rights are very important topics. As a state, how do we balance the need for water in agriculture, manufacturing, and our daily lives?
Water is an important commodity in the American culture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that agriculture accounts for approximately 80 percent of the nation’s water usage. In agriculture, water is used to grow fruits, vegetables and crops as well as raise livestock. Even further, water in agriculture is used for irrigation and the application of pesticides and fertilizers. In Kansas, 29 percent of corn acres are irrigated.
Kansas has a diverse climate from the east to west ends of the state. In many parts of the state, corn farms are rainfed, known as dryland or non-irrigated farms. These farmers normally receive enough rainfall to raise a crop. As you move toward the western part of the state, the climate is more arid, and more farmers supplement their crops through irrigation with the water sources coming mainly from underground aquifers. Farmers also can irrigate their crops from surface water sources, such as rivers and ponds. Many areas of the High Plains region, such as western Kansas, benefit from the Ogallala Aquifer, which provides a water source for irrigation. Yet, the aquifer is a limited resource, and farmers are working hard to extend its life by finding ways to use less water to produce their crops.
Online Breakout Box
Don’t have breakout boxes? Play the game online. No physical box needed! Teacher Tip: Instructions below are for the classroom breakout box. For help with the answers to the online game, go to the Online Lock Combinations tab.
Digital Breakout Box: Wondering about WaterQuick Links
About Kansas Corn STEM
Investing in Kansas teachers and students is a priority for the Kansas Corn Commission. We are committed to providing materials and training to support STEM education while fostering an understanding of how corn farming and agriculture fit into our daily lives. Professional development workshops are offered to teachers seeking to expand their knowledge and inquiry-based teaching skills.
Workshop InfoThis lesson is the work product of the Kansas Corn Commission. Our lessons are written in collaboration with Kansas teachers for use in the classroom. Teachers may copy and share this curriculum. Use of this product for commercial or promotional use is prohibited without express permission of Kansas Corn.
Newsletter Sign Up
Each quarter we release a newsletter written by teachers for teachers. This is an easy way to keep up with what is happening at Kansas Corn STEM.
Subscribe Today!