Document study for secondary students

Cloud seeding, near Sydney, 1957
NAA: A1200, L22714

To use this document study in your classroom, download Water dreaming (PDF 1.5mb).

Introduction

Australia has one of the most variable rainfalls on earth. Discovering new ways to obtain and manage water has long been seen as a key to Australia’s prosperity. Many solutions have been imagined to the problem of the variable water supply. A solution can be a product, an idea, a new angle on an existing idea or a new way of doing something.

Study

Investigation

Select one solution:

water divining – documents 1 to 2
nuclear explosions – documents 3 to 5
cloud seeding – documents 6 to 8
prayer – documents 9 to 11

List the main characteristics and features of the solution. How did it work? Where was it designed to be used? Who would have used it?

Reflection

Does the solution address the issue of Australia’s limited rainfall? How practical do you think the solution is? Give reasons to support your answer.

Would this solution:

have been economically sustainable?
have been environmentally friendly?
have provided a ‘quick fix’ or a long-term solution?
be successful in the commercial market today?

Extension

Explore another Australian solution – such as the dual flush toilet or the Dethridge wheel – and how it has contributed to Australia. Which of these have survived and can still be found in today’s market?