Tehya's Pollution Solution Storybook

Overview

While taking photos along the Elwha River, Tehya and her friend Sam make a scary discovery. There is oil coating the surface of the river—lots of oil. The Elwha river is extremely important to the ecosystem in Washington State, where Tehya lives. The river and the rest of the environment also hold special meaning for Tehya and her family, members of the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe.

Tehya and Sam decide to help with the oil spill cleanup. Their neighbor Thomas, an environmental engineer working on the cleanup, teaches themhow to pitch in but Tehya still feels like she could do more. Can Tehya’s photos and her knowledge of the river help determine a process for cleaning the river?

Readers are encouraged to design and improve their own process for cleaning an oil spill. With some creativity and knowledge of the engineering design process, everyone can engineer!

Engineering Field: Environmental Engineering

Science Field: Life Science

Setting: Washington, US

The Try It! Kit includes everything one student needs to complete the challenge and practice thinking like an engineer. 

Try It! Kits

Let students get hands-on with STEM and engineering, even in a virtual learning environment.

Try It! Kits enhance your Engineering is Elementary storybooks with engaging hands-on learning. Designed to be used in conjunction with the storybooks, the Try It! Kits can also be used as a standalone STEM activity.

Each Engineering is Elementary Try It! Kit includes all of the materials a student needs to complete the mini-design challenge, with instructions in English and Spanish.

Build STEM literacy and engage learners in real-world challenges.