%AHolzer, M.%ARoemmele, C.%ABailey, J.%Anull Ed.%BJournal Name: The Earth scientist; Journal Volume: 36; Journal Issue: 3 %D2020%I %JJournal Name: The Earth scientist; Journal Volume: 36; Journal Issue: 3 %K %MOSTI ID: 10282183 %PMedium: X %TFreshwater resources: The challenges of quantity and quality %XFreshwater resources are limited due to issues related to water quality and/or quantity. This article introduces a build-a-MEL that challenges students to address this socioscientific issue by considering the plausibility of three models: A) Earth has a shortage of freshwater, which will worsen as our world’s population increases; B) Earth has a shortage of freshwater that can be met by engineering solutions; and C) Earth’s freshwater is abundant and will remain so even in the face of global climate change. The eight lines of evidence in this build-a-MEL are data-rich and challenge students to think critically as they connect the evidence to the models. As a result of this activity, students develop an understanding of the spatial complexity of access to freshwater resources. %0Journal Article