EWB/JETS Activities

Classroom Activity #1: Build a Dam

YOUR TASK: Explore ways to help the Villagers find appropriate methods for water storage and water distribution to enhance agriculture.

In the Balang Commune of the Siem Reap Province in Cambodia, residents have been dealing with a severe food shortage since an earthen levee (or dam) was destroyed during the 2000 rainy season. The Balang Commune depended on the water stored by the dam for irrigation, to prevent flooding, and to water their rice crops. Previous levee failures were due to overtopping, meaning that flood waters exceeded the height levee causing waves to come crashing over the top. Although the community has repaired much of the flood damage, they now struggle to find enough water for proper irrigation. Currently without sufficient water, the people of this area can only harvest one rice crop every year.

A few groups are working together on this project including the Commune Council, monks from the temple at Wat Trach, Human Translation, and Engineers Without Borders — USA (EWB-USA). The monks worked with the government to come up with an idea for how to repair the dam. Human Translation became involved in the project and asked EWB to help provide engineering expertise.

Click on the link below for the grade specific Lesson Plan

• Pre K-2: How can we help the people of Balang Commune get water to grow food?
• Grades 3-5: What materials will the people of Balang Commune need to help them get water?
• Grades 6-8: How can we help the Balang community store water for irrigation?
• High School: How can we create and implement a sustainable solution for the Balang Commune?

Worksheets

• Community Outreach
• Environmental Impact Statement
• Engineering Design Process
• Budget

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