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Sand
Land
 This
module presents the student with a challenging inquiry-based learning
opportunity. Students are invited to think about the movement of
rainwater on the surface of the earth and through the soils underneath
it with the help of a physical model (a "sandbox") that simulates
rain falling upon the land and moving down and through the soil.
In the extension, injecting food color into the soil allows students
to simulate the movement of a chemical contaminant in groundwater
and surface waters. This demonstration helps students visualize
the underground part of the water cycle and can serve as a starting
point for discussions on the impact of human activities on watersheds.
This module can also be used for earth science topics (see the Extensions
Section).
Targeted
Grade Level
Grades 5-7
| Objectives |
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Students
will:
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Predict
the effects of water falling on a soil slope
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Observe
the movement of water on and through soil
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Record
their observations and compare them with their predictions
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Observe
the movement of a food color through soil and record the
time it takes until it is detected in surface waters
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| Activity |
| In-class
experiments conducted by groups of 4-5 students using a sandbox
that models a soil slope. The experiments simulate movement
of water and contaminants on and through the soil |
- Teach
the process of inquiry: observing, hypothesis, investigation
and evaluation
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- Ask
students to draw/illustrate what they think will happen
when "rain" falls upon the Sand-Land model. (Lead with specific
questions)
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- Activate
the models in small groups so they see what will happen.
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- Track
changes to the Sand-Landscape with toothpicks and drawings
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- Alter
the model to understand cause and effect of varying water
flows on soil.
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| PA
Educational Standards |
| Watershed |
Understand
the role of the watershed.
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Identify
and explain what determines the boundaries of a watershed.
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Explain
how water enters a watershed.
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Explain
factors that affected water quality and flow through a watershed.
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| Water
Cycle |
Explain
the water cycle.
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Explain
the water cycle as it relates to a watershed.
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| Soil
Erosion |
Discern
earth features and processes.
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Groundwater
flow and contaminant transport.
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Explain
the earth's water properties, behavior and use.
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Estimated
Duration
1 to 1.5 hours
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