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In this activity, learners consider the water features they might enjoy at a community park--a pond, brook, water playground (or "sprayground"), or pool--and what happens to the water over time. In small groups, they explore and test common materials to identify the best low-tech materials that can be used to help filter water. This activity is part of a curriculum designed to engage learners in hands-on engineering challenges.
- 10 to 30 minutes
- 10 to 30 minutes
- Over $20 per group of students
- Ages 4 - 14
- Activity, Demonstration, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- computer, speakers, projector, projection screen, and access to the Internet (optional)
- a writing surface where the groups may sketch and write (optional)
- 5–6 (2-L) empty, clear plastic water bottles with the label and cap removed (preferably cleaned and repurposed for this activity)
- 1 (16-oz. or larger) clear plastic container, such as a measuring cup
- 10 rubber bands
- 10 or more (~10" × 5") pieces of silk and/or cotton knit fabric, such as clean, discarded clothing or scraps from a fabric store
- 6 cups of play sand
- 5 cups of small aquarium gravel
- 10 (~1") chunks of lava rock
- 4 cups activated carbon/charcoal (sold at aquarium supply stores)
- a selection of additional filtration materials to choose from, such as 1 cup of rice, 30 (5/8") marbles, 30 non-biodegradable Styrofoam "peanuts," 10 (1"x1") pieces of synthetic sponge, 1 package of cotton balls, 10 (5"x5") pieces of quilt batting, 2 cups shredded paper, 10 coffee filters
- ~2 teaspoons of tea leaves (or the contents of 3–4 tea bags)
- 3 cups boiling hot water
- 1 (1-quart) tea pot or Pyrex measuring cup
- 2 or more (~1-cup) containers for holding and pouring “dirty water,” such as measuring cups (preferably with spouts for easy pouring) or clean, empty personal water bottles
- 2 or more labels or pieces of masking tape
- 6 teaspoons or medicine droppers
- 6 empty jars, pitchers, or other containers for collecting filtered water for later disposal
- microscope, microscope slides, and water samples collected from a park fountain, stream, pond, or lake (optional)
- 15–20 aprons or trash bags to wear over clothing
- Safety signs, which read “Be safe! Do not drink this water”
- 1 (8½" × 11") Be Creative…Be an Engineer! poster (for tweens, teens, and adults)
- 1 (8½" × 11") Grand Challenges of Engineering poster (for teens and adults) (optional)
- 1–2 (36" × 3 yards) packages of cheesecloth, purchased from a supermarket or kitchenware store
Subjects
-
Earth and Space Science
-
Earth Structure
- Oceans and Water
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Earth Structure
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Engineering and Technology
-
Engineering
- Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
-
Technology
- Agriculture and Biotechnology
-
Engineering
-
Life Sciences
-
Ecology
- Human Impact
-
Ecology
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- About Inquiry
- Asking Questions
- Conducting Investigations
- Science as a Career
-
The Scientific Process
-
The Nature of Technology
-
Technology and Society
- Impacts of Technology
- Technology and the Environment
-
The Design Process
- Research and Development
- Invention and Innovation
- Problem Solving
- Troubleshooting and Maintenance
-
Technology and Society
Informal Categories
- Nature and Environment
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Uses STEM to solve real-world problems
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Department of Education and Public Outreach, Lunar and Planetary Institute; STAR Library Education Network
Rights:
Funding Source:
- NSF, DRL-1010844