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Engineering-Based Modelling Experiences in the Elementary and Middle Classroom

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Models and Modeling

Part of the book series: Models and Modeling in Science Education ((MMSE,volume 6))

Abstract

A new and increasingly important field of research in the elementary and middle school curriculum is engineering education. Researchers in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering education are exploring innovative ways to introduce younger students to the world of engineering (e.g. Capobianco & Tyrie, 2009; Cunninghman & Hester, 2007; Lambert, Diefes-Dux, Beck, Duncan, & Oware, 2007; Mousoulides & English, 2009; Zawojewski, Diefes-Dux, & Bowman, 2008). The increasing complexity, interconnectivity, technology dependence, and competitiveness in our world present new challenges for individuals and nations, challenges that cannot be met “by continuing education as usual” (Katehi, Pearson, & Feder, 2009, p. 49).

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Acknowledgement

The Water Shortage Problem has been developed under the ModelMath project, which is funded by the Cyprus Research Foundation. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Cyprus Research Foundation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4069, Australia

    Lyn D. English

  2. Cyprus University of Technology, 3036, Lemesos, Cyprus

    Nicholas G. Mousoulides

Authors
  1. Lyn D. English
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  2. Nicholas G. Mousoulides
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lyn D. English .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bahrain Teachers College, Manama, Bahrain

    Myint Swe Khine

  2. Bahrain Teachers College, Manama, Bahrain

    Issa M. Saleh

Appendices

Appendix: There Is a Trouble in Paradise: Severe Water Shortage Problem in Cyprus

Nicosia. Alex Chris, a landscape gardener working for several foreign embassies and private estates in Nicosia, said many of the capital’s boreholes are now pumping mud. “I installed one expensive garden with 500 meters of irrigation pipe in Nicosia a few months ago,” he said. “Last week they called to tell me the system had stopped and their trees and lawns were dying. I found that sludge had been pumped through the pipes and then solidified in the heat. It was like cement”.

Last week, people all over Cyprus received a water conservation advisory via mail, reporting “extremely dry conditions in Cyprus as a result of a lack of rain.” The mail suggested several measures the Cyprus Water Board would take to conserve water. Water shortage in Cyprus is among country’s most important problems. However, water shortage is common in much of the world. In fact, half the planet’s population is expected to face an insufficient water supply by 2025.

Emergency water rationing as well as a request to import water from nearby countries was ordered as a result of a severe water shortage due to a drought over the last four years. Reservoir reserves have plunged dangerously low and desalination plants cannot keep up with a growing demand for water. Cyprus has two desalination plants running at full capacity, with a third due to come on stream in June. The island’s reservoirs are now 10.3 percent full and there has been little rainfall since 2003. “Cuts are essential to cover the needs of the population. This is an extremely grave situation,” said a government spokesman. The island is increasingly relying on desalinization plants for water, but they can only provide 45% of demand, and their operation is energy heavy. The head of the Cyprus Water Board said: “We don’t desalinate lightly, without being aware of the consequences. It is energy-consuming … and this causes (greenhouse gas) emissions Cyprus that has to pay fines for.”

Water has always been a valuable commodity on the Mediterranean island, which has one of the world’s highest concentrations of reservoirs. The country is used to regular periods of drought due to its location and climate, but there has been a sharp decrease in rain in the past 35 years. Since 1972, rainfall has decreased 20% and runoff into reservoirs has decreased by 40%. The demand for water in Cyprus, for now, outstrips supply. Experts estimate the island will need almost 5,09 million cubic meters of water until the new year. Kouris, one of the island’s largest and most important dams, currently stands less than 2.5% full, with 3.23 million tons of water.

Cypriot officials decided to sign a contract with a nearby country to import more than 12 million cubic metres over the summer period starting at the end of June. Officials will also sign a contract with a shipping company to use oil tankers for supplying Cyprus with water. The tanker supply program will continue until a permanent solution to the problem has been reached. The water will be pumped directly into the main water supply pipelines with any surplus going to the reservoirs.

 

Readiness Questions

1. Who is Alex Chris?

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2. What is Kouris?

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3. How many desalination plants for water are currently in Cyprus?

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4. Why does the Cyprus government not build more desalination plants to cover the country’s water needs?

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5. Which solution did the Cyprus Water Board decide to adopt for solving the water shortage problem?

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The Problem

Cyprus Water Board needs to decide from which country Cyprus will import water for the next summer period. Using the information provided, assist the Board in making the best possible choice.

Lebanon, Greece, Syria, and Egypt expressed their willingness to supply Cyprus with water. The Water Board has received information about the water price, how much water they can supply Cyprus with during summer, oil tanker cost, and the port facilities. This information is presented below.

Write a letter explaining the method you used to make your decision so that the Board can use your method for selecting the best available option not only for now, but also for the future when the Board will have to take similar decisions.

Letter

Dear Water Management Board,

Our team, _______________________________________________________, decided that Cyprus should buy water from ____________. Our work resulted in the following ranking: _________________________________________________________________.

The method we followed for ranking the different countries is:

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Best regards,

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English, L.D., Mousoulides, N.G. (2011). Engineering-Based Modelling Experiences in the Elementary and Middle Classroom. In: Khine, M., Saleh, I. (eds) Models and Modeling. Models and Modeling in Science Education, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0449-7_8

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