This week I implemented a lab on running water erosion. I used a stream table, sand and a hose connected to a faucet. Students were put into groups of four for their lab groups. Each group took a turn at the stream table completing four trials. For the first three trials the angle of incline was increased. The students carved a river path and then ran water down the river while watching for erosion and deposition. On the fourth trial, the groups used rocks to try to prevent erosion.
I felt this lab was very sucessful. The students were actively engaged and by the end of the lab, they were able to correctly use the terms: erosion, deposition, oxbow lake and delta.
What a great hands-on lab regarding erosion. By the appearance of your photos, you students looked very engaged in the activity. Glad to hear of your success with it.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of what I saw when I went to visit the St. Louis Science Center. They had an erosion activity there and children got to set up the structural pieces and sand in an attempt to build up the ground and create a dam. This they had fun with, but the real selling point was that after that the children were given a house to place in the exhibit in order to predict where the safest place would be for their home to not get flushed away when the water came.
ReplyDeleteAfter that, the water was turned on and in progressive fashioned it kept getting stronger and stronger. In this way, the children could see if their house could survive a small flood, medium and then a very strong one. It was very effective and impressive.