The Big Science Challenge: Resources

Welcome to The Big Science Challenge resources page! Here you can find further resources to help you learn more about water and energy.

Below is an amazing demonstration from TEDGlobal 2009. Engineer, Michael Pritchard, explains how he approaches the scale of the global problem of access to drinking water. See how he makes the same steps needed for this competition.

IDENTIFY:  the world lacks access to clean drinking water

RESEARCH:  how shipping safe water to countries affected by natural disaster takes a long a time

INVESTIGATE: how to make local water sterile

SOLVE: to invent the portable Lifesaver filter bottle – making the most revolting water, drinkable in seconds.

Here are some useful links to a various websites with more information to get you thinking!

STEM CENTRAL – Engineering through sciences, technologies and mathematics.

TEACHERS DOMAIN – Water Treatment Plant: In this video segment adapted from ZOOM, cast member Noreen finds out how a water treatment facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts purifies its city's water.

GAPMINDER– using statistics in a visual way for a fact-based world view.

OPEN UNIVERSITY- The Open University is a world leader in modern distance learning, the pioneer of teaching and learning methods which enable people to achieve their career and life goals studying at times and in places to suit them.

THE RENEWABLE ENERGY CENTER - Water and waste that we discard can be recycled and provide a valuable resource. Waste water from baths, showers, washing machines, dishwashers and sinks is often referred to as Grey Water. Waste from toilets is known as Black Water.

ESSEX AND SUFFOLK WATER- are proud to provide a sustainable, affordable, clean and safe water supply and to manage and treat the waste water returned to us in a way that protects the environment.

S.W.I.S.H – Student Water Investigates Showing How.

RAINCATCHER – An Israeli-Jordanian-Palestinian Pilot Project for Rain Harvesting.

UK RIVERS NETWORK – The world's oceans and rivers have never been under more pressure from pollution. This handy list of information sources points you to books, articles, and websites that tell you what the problems are, how they're caused, and how we can attempt to solve them.

HISTORY OF WATER FILTERS- The Past, Present, and Future of Water Filtration Technology.

ARAB WATER WORLD - The geopolitics of water in the Middle East.
 

You can also download out teachers’ pack and students’ pack for additional help:

Download the student resource pack in English or Arabic

Download the teacher resource pack in English or Arabic