Observing Changes in Water Resources

Videos

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Science, Social Studies

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by PBS

Open Resource

What it is

This brief video explores how water resources on Menominee Indian Tribe lands in Wisconsin are changing and how they are impacted by climate change.
The three Tribal Members interviewed discuss climate change impacts to water levels, water quality, and wildlife.

Teaching tips

Positives

This video provides an Indigenous perspective on the water problems that many communities face.
Many ideas are covered in this short video, giving students a range of ideas for further learning.

Additional Prerequisites

Students should have an understanding of the water cycle.
The beginning of the video mentions the terms assimilation, colonialism, cultural genocide, and termination, which may need to be defined or explained.
This video was produced in 2012. There is no obsolete data in the video. The video features anecdotal observations from Menominee Tribal Members. For this reason, the video is still valuable for use in the classroom.

Differentiation

This resource would work well in a science class learning about the water cycle or ecology or in a social studies class discussing communities and how they work together to solve problems.
After viewing, dive into a water issue closer to home. Students can work in groups to research a current event or topic about local water issues and then present it to the class.
As an extension, have students teach their peers about a water issue they learned about in the video.

From the scientist review

This short video segment adapted from the College of Menominee Nation examines observations about water resources on Menominee Indian Tribe land, located in northeast Wisconsin, and considers the impact that climate change is having on water levels, water quality, fish populations, and more. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Science, Social Studies
Language: English
Location: North America, North America > United States, North America > United States > Wisconsin
Provider: PBS
Authors: PBS Learning Media, PBS
Published: October 19, 2022
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · D2.Civ.1.6-8 + 6 more

Core

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards

D2.Civ.1.6-8Distinguish the powers and responsibilities of citizens, political parties, interest groups, and the media in a variety of governmental and nongovernmental contexts.
D2.Civ.12.9-12Analyze how people use and challenge local, state, national, and international laws to address a variety of public issues.
D2.Civ.13.9-12Evaluate public policies in terms of intended and unintended outcomes, and related consequences.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

MS-LS2-2.Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
MS-LS2-4.Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.

Maine Climate Education Hub

English Language Arts

SL.6-8.2Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.

Science and Engineering

HS-LS2-6Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.

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Teaching tips

From the scientist review

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