Contextualization
Planet Earth is known as the Water Planet due to the large amount of this vital resource covering a significant part of its surface. In the Geography discipline, water and its various aspects are widely studied, and it is in this context that we introduce the concepts of Hydrography and Aquifers.
Hydrography is the geographical science that studies the waters of planet Earth, such as rivers, lakes, glaciers, seas, and oceans, as well as aquifers. This science helps us understand the distribution of water on the planet and how water influences and is influenced by various natural phenomena and human actions.
Aquifers, on the other hand, are underground water reservoirs that form when rainwater infiltrates the soil and reaches deeper layers, where it is stored. They are a very important source of freshwater, used for human consumption, irrigation of crops, and even for energy generation in hydroelectric power plants.
Both Hydrography and Aquifers play fundamental roles in our daily lives. Water is a vital resource for life as we know it, and understanding how it moves and is stored on our planet is essential for its preservation and sustainable use.
Cities, for example, are greatly influenced by the local hydrographic network, which determines everything from water availability for supply to urban planning aspects, such as drainage of rainwater and flood prevention. Aquifers, on the other hand, are vital sources of freshwater that are increasingly being exploited due to the growing demand for water for human consumption and agriculture.
The following resources are recommended for a better understanding of hydrography and aquifers:
Practical Activity
Activity Title: Discovering the Waters - A Study of Local Hydrography and Aquifers
Project Objective:
The objective of this project is to allow students to explore the local hydrography, identifying bodies of water in the region and understanding how aquifers form and why they are important.
Detailed Project Description:
The project will be carried out in groups of 3 to 5 students and will last a total of one week. Initially, students will be responsible for researching and collecting information about local hydrography (rivers, lakes, aquifers, etc.), investigating questions such as:
- What are the main bodies of water in the region?
- How is rainwater drained in urban and rural areas?
- Is there any aquifer in the region? How is it used?
Then, each group must create a three-dimensional model representing the hydrographic characteristics of the region, including the aquifers.
Necessary Materials:
- Materials for building the model (clay, cardboard, paints, etc.)
- Internet access for research
Step by Step:
- Research: Access verified sources to obtain information about the region's hydrography. Books, websites, and documentaries can be good sources of information.
- Group Discussion: Discuss the collected information with the group and plan the three-dimensional model.
- Model Construction: Using the available materials, build the three-dimensional model representing the hydrographic characteristics of the region.
- Presentation: Prepare an oral presentation of the work done, explaining the main aspects of the research and the model built.
At the end of this project, the groups should be able to deliver a written report covering:
- Introduction: Here, you should explain why the specific region was chosen for study, the importance of studying hydrography and aquifers, and the objective of this project.
- Development: Explain the theory behind the central topics of the project, detail the activity, indicate the methodology used, and finally present and discuss the results obtained. Important elements to consider are: map of the region, main bodies of water, average precipitation, runoff, presence of aquifers, water use, etc.
- Conclusion: Students should conclude the work by summarizing its main points, explaining the learnings obtained, and drawing conclusions about the project.
- Bibliography: Indicate the sources on which you based your project work, such as books, websites, videos, etc.
In general, this report should complement the practical work done, providing a detailed record of the process and results of the project.
