Less water

Your challenge: write and present a short ‘infomercial’ about water conservation.

What’s the story?

Successive years of low rainfall have led to drought conditions across the UK. Reservoirs are at their lowest levels for some years and the Government is concerned that fresh water supplies are running low. Although there are a number of desalination plants being constructed to produce fresh water from sea water it is important that people reduce their consumption of fresh water.

You are a water conservation consultant and you have been hired by the Government to help in their campaign to get people to save water. To do this, you must produce a short infomercial which can be shown. The infomercial will go out in the evening and is aimed at getting families to make changes to their water use at home.

The infomercial must explain why people need to conserve water and suggest some ways in which they can do it.

Water conservation

Water conservation is all about reducing the use of fresh water either by using technology or by making changes in the way people use their water. The ultimate goals of water conservation are:

  • Sustainability – water should not be removed from an ecosystem at a greater rate than at which it is being replenished
  • Energy conservation – reduction of the amount of energy used in water pumping and supply
  • Habitat conservation – reducing the amount of fresh water we use helps to maintain wildlife habitats.

What you need to do

Once you have written your infomercial, produce a video (max. five minutes) with you presenting it. There is no right or wrong way to do this. You can use any props you want or just do a talking head. You should include:

  • An explanation of why people should undertake water conservation measure
  • A description of water conservation methods that people could try
  • Information about where people might find more information or help.

Don’t forget to use any diagrams and props to help illustrate any points you make.

Don’t forget that your suggestions should support the goals of water conservation mentioned above.

Want to make sure you get your point across? Have a look at our Presentation tips.

Here are some questions to get you started…

  • How do you think you can get people to want to reduce the amount of water they use?
  • What will people see as the benefit to them of conserving water?
  • Where in private homes do you think the most water gets wasted?
  • How could this problem be tackled?
  • Is the best solution technological?
  • Is the best solution to get people to change the way they use water?
  • Could your idea be a very simple one which would be cheap or easy to implement?
  • How could natural conservation systems in plants and animals help you with your idea?

Want more information? Check out these links…

On this site:

On the internet:

How will your entry be judged?

To really impress the judges your entry has to meet three equally weighted criteria:

  • Engage! You have to communicate with your audience in an exciting and engaging fashion
  • Understand! You must show that you understand the science behind the challenge and your solution
  • Solve! You need to offer a solution to the problem you have been presented. The more innovative and interesting your approach the better!

Submitting your challenge video

Upload your challenge video now, using the IET Faraday Video Wizard.

Closing date for submitting your entries is the 14th December. Don’t forget to read the terms and conditions before you enter.

If the judges choose your video as one of the 4 regional winners, your winning team will be invited to take part in the filming of 4 ‘Faraday returns’ videos with leading scientists and engineers. Filming will take place in January, please therefore ensure that your team is available during this period.