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Calming the WatersDownload the Calming the Waters curriculum (PDF)

What is it? Calming the Waters is designed to teach youth about water conflict in the western United States.

Who is it for? This material is designed for 12 to 18-year-olds. Certain concepts and skills may be adapted for use with young children.

What's covered? Calming the Waters integrates many subject areas including geography, history, social studies, language arts, science, speech, art, economics and mathematics. It is designed to improve critical thinking, data organization, mapping and graphing, cooperative problem solving
and communication skills. The goals of Calming the Waters are to teach youth:

  • Prehistory and geography of the American Great Basin;
  • Role of the Great Basin rivers in the lives of early American Indians, focusing on the Northern Paiute Indians of the Truckee, Carson and Walker rivers in Nevada;
  • Importance of water to western development focusing on the Truckee, Carson and Walker rivers and federal policy that shaped early development of these water resources;
  • Current conflicts and issues surrounding water shortages and water quality involving the Truckee, Carson and Walker rivers;
  • Methods to conserve and protect water resources including conservation, awareness of non-point source pollution and sustainable development;
  • Strategies to learn about water issues cooperatively and manage water conflict collaboratively.

Order copies of Calming the Waters from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension office in Yerington, Nev., at (775)463-6541