STORY PREVIEW

2024

Water Filtration

Mutiara Harapan Islamic School

Kepulauan Bangka Belitung

MENTOR

RESTU AMALIAH

Step 1 FEEL

List the challenges or problems in your surroundings (school,neighbourhood etc.) that bothered you.

Many students at school have access to water fountains, but some complain about the taste and smell of the water due to chlorine and other impurities. In the neighborhood, there are concerns about the cleanliness of tap water. Some people don’t have access to clean water due to pollution or contamination. There is a lack of awareness about how to filter water effectively and how important it is to have clean drinking water.

State the problem chosen to work and why.

The problem we chose to address is the need for clean, safe drinking water at school and in our neighborhood. Many people, including students and families, are concerned about the taste, smell, and safety of the tap water, which can affect their health. We wanted to help solve this problem by showing how simple water filtration can make a big difference.

Who were the people affected by the problem? What were their primary concerns?

Students and teachers at school: They were concerned about the bad taste and smell of the tap water, which made it less appealing to drink. Families in the neighborhood: They were worried about the safety of their drinking water, with concerns about harmful chemicals, bacteria, and pollutants. Community members: Some were also unaware of how easy it is to make water safer with simple filters, which caused them to continue using unsafe water.

Step 2 IMAGINE

List ALL the different solutions you came up with.

Use natural materials like sand, charcoal, and cotton to create a simple DIY water filter. Build a filtration system using a clear pipe to show how water can be purified through multiple layers. Install a UV light system that can kill bacteria in the water. Educate people about the importance of water filtration and how they can make their own filters at home. Create a water filtration demonstration booth at school for the STEAM Fair to teach students and the community how filters work.

Which solution from those listed above did you choose to implement and why?

We chose to build a simple DIY water filtration system using natural materials like sand, cotton, rocks, and charcoal, and display it at the STEAM Fair. This solution is easy to understand, practical, and can be easily replicated by anyone at home or school. It allows people to see how filtration works step-by-step and shows that clean water doesn’t require expensive technology, just simple materials.

Step 3DO

Describe very briefly the process of implementing your solution(s).

We started by gathering materials such as a plastic bottle, rocks, sand, cotton, charcoal, and a clear pipe. We cut the bottle and layered the materials inside, starting with rocks at the bottom, then sand, cotton, and charcoal at the top. The water was poured into the filter, and the filtered water was collected through the pipe to show the difference before and after filtration. We tested the filter by using dirty water (with food coloring and small particles) to show how the filter cleaned it.

What was the result or impact of your project?

The result was that the water coming out of the filter was visibly cleaner and clearer than the dirty water we started with. We successfully demonstrated that simple filtration materials can improve water quality, making it safer to drink. The project also helped raise awareness about the importance of clean water and simple ways to filter it at home.

How many people were impacted by your solution(s)?

200

What did the impacted people have to say about your project? Provide 2 quotes or testimonials:

"I didn’t realize that simple materials like sand and cotton could make such a big difference in cleaning water. I’m going to try making one of these filters at home!" Student A "I always thought that clean water had to come from a fancy filter or a store-bought bottle. I didn’t know I could filter water so easily with things we already have!" Parent A

What challenges did you encounter while implementing your project, and how did you overcome them?

Challenge 1: It was difficult to get the layers in the filter to stay in place without the materials mixing together. Solution: We used a glue gun to secure the cotton and charcoal layers, and we made sure the materials were tightly packed to keep them from shifting. Challenge 2: Some students were skeptical about whether the filter would actually work to clean the water. Solution: We demonstrated the filter by showing the difference between dirty water and the filtered water, which helped everyone understand how effective the system was.

How long did it take to implement your solution?

15-30 Days

Which global goals does your story align with?

Clean water and sanitation

Please explain briefly why do you think so?

By demonstrating how to clean and purify water using simple materials, we are helping raise awareness about the importance of clean water and the simple methods people can use to make their water safer. This supports the global goal of ensuring everyone has access to clean and safe drinking water.

Step 4 SHARE

How did you share your project with your school and community? Who did you share your project with? What was their response?

We shared our project at the STEAM Fair at school, where we set up a booth to demonstrate the water filtration system. We invited students, teachers, parents and public to see our presentation and learn how the filter works. The response was positive, with many people impressed by how easy it was to create a filter and how much cleaner the water looked after filtration. Some teachers even said they would incorporate the concept into their science lessons.

Approximately how many people did you share your story of change with?

More than 100

Briefly share your plan to sustain the impact of your project?

To sustain the impact, we plan to distribute simple instructions for building a water filter to students and families so they can try it at home. We will also create a small booklet or flyer about water filtration and its benefits, which can be handed out at school events or shared in the neighborhood. Additionally, we hope to collaborate with local organizations to raise awareness about water purification techniques and the importance of clean water in our community.

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