Unit 9 · Week 2

💧 Week 2: Water Health Check — Testing Our Wai

Students conduct scientific water quality testing while learning traditional Māori indicators of healthy wai. They combine modern testing methods with mātauranga Māori to assess water health at their school.

Focus Question

How can we tell if water is healthy using both science and traditional knowledge?

🎯 Learning Intentions

Use scientific instruments to measure water quality (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen)
Apply traditional Māori indicators to assess water health
Document water quality data systematically and accurately

✅ Success Criteria

I can safely use water testing equipment and record accurate measurements
I can identify traditional indicators of healthy vs. unhealthy water
I can compare scientific data with traditional observation methods

📚 Curriculum Alignment

Science: Chemical and physical properties of water, ecosystem health indicators
Mathematics: Data collection, measurement, graph interpretation
Mātauranga Māori: Traditional water quality assessment methods

Ngā Mahi - Week 2 Activities

🎥 Media Anchor

Video: Māori Systems: Kaitiakitanga

How does this week's environmental inquiry reflect kaitiakitanga in action?
Which local indicator best tracks whether your intervention is working?

1. Hook: Traditional Water Assessment (15 mins)

Activity: Show two water samples - one clear and one murky. Ask students to assess which looks healthier without any equipment.

Kaitiakitanga Connection: Traditional Māori observed colour, smell, taste, and living creatures to assess water health. These methods can be more sensitive than modern instruments for some pollutants.

2. Scientific Water Testing (35 mins)

Activity: Use the Water Testing Protocol to scientifically test water samples from around the school.

Test pH levels using pH strips or digital meters
Measure water temperature with thermometers
Check dissolved oxygen levels (if equipment available)
Record turbidity (cloudiness) using turbidity tubes
Document all measurements in data tables

Safety Note: Always wear safety equipment, don't drink test water, wash hands thoroughly after handling samples.

3. Stream Health Assessment (25 mins)

Activity: Use the Stream Health Assessment to evaluate local waterways using visual and biological indicators.

Observe and document stream flow, bank stability, and vegetation
Look for signs of pollution (foam, unusual colours, dead fish)
Collect and identify macroinvertebrates (pollution-sensitive insects)
Compare findings with healthy stream characteristics

4. Macroinvertebrate Study (20 mins)

Activity: Use the Macroinvertebrate Field Guide to identify water quality indicator species.

Collect water samples with fine nets or white trays
Identify mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs (high quality water indicators)
Look for worms, leeches (pollution-tolerant species)
Count and categorize different species found
Calculate stream health score based on indicator species

Traditional Knowledge: Māori also used insect life as water quality indicators - healthy streams had diverse insect communities that fish and birds depended on.

5. Data Comparison & Analysis (15 mins)

Activity: Compare scientific measurements with traditional observations to evaluate water health comprehensively.

Integration Question: Do the scientific instruments tell us the same story as traditional observation methods? Where do they agree or disagree?

💡 Differentiation Strategies

Support: Provide pre-labeled data tables, pair students for equipment use, focus on one testing method per student
Extension: Research international water quality standards, investigate pollution sources, design improvement solutions
Cultural connection: Interview kaumātua about traditional water assessment, research local iwi water management practices

🔄 Assessment & Next Steps

Formative Assessment:

Completed Water Testing Protocol sheets with accurate measurements
Stream Health Assessment with detailed observations
Successful identification of macroinvertebrate indicator species

Preparation for Week 3:

Teams analyze their water quality data for patterns and problems
Identify potential pollution sources affecting local water
Prepare to investigate biodiversity as another environmental indicator

📋 Kaiako Planning Snapshot / Teacher Planning Snapshot

Timing Overview

Hook / Engagement: 10–15 min
Core Field / Lab Activities: 40–50 min
Analysis & Discussion: 15–20 min
Reflection / Exit: 5–10 min
Total: ~75–90 min (double period)

Curriculum Alignment — Achievement Objectives

Learning Areas: Science (water quality testing, chemical and biological indicators, measurement), Mātauranga Māori (traditional water health indicators, wai ora), Mathematics (recording and comparing data)
Achievement Objective: Students will investigate local environmental problems using both mātauranga Māori and scientific methods, and design and implement solutions that reflect kaitiakitanga
Key Competencies: Thinking, Participating & Contributing, Relating to Others (manaakitanga, whanaungatanga)

Inclusion & Accessibility Guidance

ESOL / ELL learners: Environmental observation activities are highly practical and reduce language barriers — prioritise field work over written tasks. Pre-teach key vocabulary with visual diagrams. Allow bilingual recording of observations.
ADHD / neurodiverse learners: Outdoor and hands-on activities naturally suit diverse attention profiles. Provide clear task cards for each station. Use visual timers and offer regular structured movement breaks.
Accessibility: Ensure field investigation areas are physically accessible. Provide adapted observation tools (magnifying glasses, large-print checklists) on request. Allow verbal or drawn responses as alternatives to written recording.
Cultural inclusion: Mātauranga Māori is foregrounded throughout — validate Indigenous environmental knowledge as rigorous and equal to Western science. Involve local iwi and kaumātua from the outset rather than as an add-on.

Unit 9: Environmental Mātauranga — Protecting Our Taiao