Water Pollution Activity
Name: ______________________________
5th Grade PSI
Experiment Questions:
What factors impact water quality?
Where does water pollution come from?
Purpose
In this activity, you will explore the impact of water pollution and observe how water is
filtered in nature. You will investigate the different sources of water pollution and
examine the challenges of protecting Earth’s water supply.
You will be investigating 4 unknown types of water pollution and their possible sources.
You will also be attempting to filter out the pollutants.
Materials
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5 pint-sized jars with lids
Large jar or beaker
plastic cup
Masking tape
Funnel
Soil
Cotton balls
1 cup measuring cup
1/4 cup measuring cup
Vinegar
Vegetable oil
Blue food coloring
Wood chips or grass
Baking Soda
Procedure:
1. Label four of the mason jars Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3 and Sample 4. The
5th jar will be used to collect the water samples after filtering. Label it Filtered
Sample.
2. Label the large beaker Downstream Sample. At the end of the experiment all the
filtered samples will be combined in the Downstream Sample to demonstrate the
cumulative effect of water pollution.
3. Add 1 cup of water to each of the sample jars.
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5th Grade PSI
Human Impacts on Earth
Sample 1 – Vinegar - Chemical pollution
1. Measure out 1/4 cup of vinegar and add it to the Sample 1 jar. Secure the lid
and shake until thoroughly mixed. Record your observations on the Water
Pollution Worksheet. Make a prediction based upon your observations and
record it on the worksheet.
2. Place a cotton ball in the neck of the funnel to prevent the soil from falling
through.
3. Set the funnel in the Filtered Sample jar.
4. Agitate the sample until it is evenly mixed together. Slowly pour the sample into
the funnel.
5. After filtering is complete, record the effectiveness of filtering and your
observations on the worksheet.
6. Pour the filtered sample in the Downstream Sample jar.
Sample 2 – Homemade Motor Oil – Industrial pollution
1. Measure out 1/4 cup of the homemade motor oil and add to the Sample 2 jar.
Secure the lid and shake until thoroughly mixed. Record your observations on
the worksheet. Make a prediction based upon your observations and record it on
the worksheet.
2. Agitate the sample until it is evenly mixed together. Slowly pour the sample
through the funnel into the Filtered Sample jar.
3. After filtering is complete, record the effectiveness of filtering and your
observations on the worksheet.
4. Pour the filtered sample in the Downstream Sample jar.
Sample 3 – Wood chips - Agricultural pollution
1. Measure out 1/4 cup of wood chips (or grass) and add to the Sample 3 jar.
Secure the lid and shake until thoroughly mixed. Record your observations on
the worksheet. Make a prediction based upon your observations and record it on
the worksheet.
2. Agitate the sample until it is evenly mixed together. Slowly pour the sample
through the funnel into the Filtered Sample jar.
3. After filtering is complete, record the effectiveness of filtering and their
observations on the worksheet.
4. Pour the filtered sample in the Downstream Sample jar.
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5th Grade PSI
Human Impacts on Earth
Sample 4 – Baking Soda – Household Pollution from cleaning products
1. Measure out 1/4 cup of baking soda and add to the Sample 4 jar. Secure the lid
and shake until thoroughly mixed. Record your observations on the worksheet.
Make a prediction based upon your observations and record it on the worksheet.
2. Agitate the sample until it is evenly mixed together. Slowly pour the sample
through the funnel into the Filtered Sample jar.
3. After filtering is complete, record the effectiveness of filtering and your
observations on the worksheet.
4. Pour the filtered sample in the Downstream Sample jar.
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5th Grade PSI
Human Impacts on Earth
Water Pollution Worksheet
Name: ______________________________
5th Grade PSI
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Sample 4
Observation
of Pollutant
Prediction:
Will the filter
remove the
pollutant?
Why or why
not?
Effectiveness
of Filtering &
Post
Observation
Source and
Type of
Pollution
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5th Grade PSI
Human Impacts on Earth
Analysis Questions
1. Were any of the samples successfully filtered out?
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2. The soil in the funnel acted as a filter to remove the pollutants from the water.
What happened to the quality of the soil as the pollutants were removed from the
water?
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3. What did you observe in the Downstream Sample jar? What did this water
represent?
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4. What are some different sources of water pollution not examined in this lab?
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5. How does water pollution affect animals and people?
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6. Observe 5 types of items/waste that go down your kitchen sink drain. Describe
each item/waste below.
a. ___________________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________________________
e. ___________________________________________________________
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5th Grade PSI
Human Impacts on Earth