Apply the engineering design process to design a simple system that captures rainwater runoff for reuse, based on the water cycle.
Every time it rains, huge amounts of water run off roofs and driveways and disappear down a storm drain, water that could have been collected and reused for a garden. Engineers solve problems like this using a design process: first define the problem clearly and the requirements it must meet, called criteria, and any limits you must work within, called constraints, then brainstorm possible solutions, choose one, and build a plan.
A basic rain capture system uses gravity and the water cycle you already know: a downspout carries roof runoff to a barrel or bin, a screen or filter keeps out leaves and debris, and an overflow outlet lets extra water escape safely once the barrel is full so it does not back up onto the roof. This week you will design one, on paper, for a real roof at your home.
Mastery looks like: They can state clear criteria and constraints for a real design problem and sketch or describe a rain-capture design that satisfies both.
Common stumbles: Jumping straight to a solution without defining criteria and constraints first; forgetting a safe overflow path, which is the most common real-world failure of a rain barrel design.