Name: ___________________________ Partner: _____________________________
Projected Presentation Date: Nov. 25th
Dear Student,
Creating a three-dimensional, working model is an essential part of the National Science Standards.
More specifically, PA State Standards expect students to apply knowledge about watersheds in such a
model. Models employ the use of higher level thinking skills allowing the student(s) to demonstrate
his/her understanding of the modeled concept. This project will require you to extend and refine your
thinking. I have briefly explained the project so that you will understand the requirements for this
activity. In addition, I will provide you with a detailed packet with rubrics explaining your assessment
of this project.
Gather These Materials:
 Large roasting pan
 6-10 pgs of newspaper
 Masking tape (duct tape will only be used for emergency repairs on the outside)
 At least one large piece of foil slightly larger than the pan (you may have to tape several pieces
together). Most likely, you will use several sheets as you attempt to improve your model
 A spray bottle
 Blue (or whatever is available) food coloring in your spray bottle
 Absorbent cloth
 1 marker
 Recycled items from your garbage (include at least one 1 one liter bottle)
Make your Model:
You will be working with at least one other person in the creation of this working model. You will use
these materials to create a simple model of the portion of the Earth’s surface representing a watershed. You
will include several mountains to establish a divide. You will spray model rain over the divide in your
landscape and watch how the water flows. This model will be a work in progress where you will have to
predict the flow of your runoff and possibly alter your landscape. Your goal is to predict and mark the
pathway that your water will flow throughout your watershed as well as identify key features in a
watershed. Your final grade on this project will be determined by how well you collaborate with your
partner, sketch out and alter your original design, incorporate watershed features into your landscape, and
how well your watershed works in terms of topography. Problem-solving is also an important part of this
project. You must successfully solve a problem involving your watershed and be able to identify the
problem and explain how you solve it.
STEPS:
1. Sketch out a picture of what you want your completed watershed to look like.
Look for ways to add these features to your model:
a. Streams and Rivers – linear flows of water running downhill (must have at
least one main river with at least 2 tributaries feeding into it). The main river must
have headwaters that help to form it and it should exit into the ocean.
b. Ponds or Lakes - areas where water pools up in low areas (at least 1).
c. Drainage Divides – imaginary lines along which the rain goes to one side or
another (at least two)
d. Incorporate at least one wetland, flood plain, oxbow lake, or delta
2. Now that you have an idea of what you want to create, begin to place the recycled
bottles into the tray starting close to the top portion of the tray. Wrap the bottles
with several pieces of crumbled up paper in order to create the illusion of large
mountains. By placing the mountains next to one another, you will have created
your watershed’s main divide. Remember you will have other drainage divides in
the watershed as well. These will be areas of higher elevation that will separate
the direction in which the water will run.
3. Crumble several more pieces of newspaper into balls/rolls of different sizes and
shapes. Place them into the roasting pan so that you can create a slope for you
watershed. The land should gently slope from high to low, eventually becoming
very flat near the mouth of the river spilling into the ocean. Use masking tape to
keep the shapes of newspaper into place. DO NOT waste tape!
4. After you think you have created a watershed that will allow the water to run from
high elevation to low, lay the foil sheet on a table top smoothing out any wrinkles
that you may have gotten in it. Do not worry about covering the sides of your
model. DO NOT tape down your foil because you may have to alter your
topography several times. Gently press the foil down around the contours of the
newspaper balls and bottles. Remember, the foil represents the Earth’s surface.
The large lumps represent mountains and hills, and the areas between them
represent valleys. Use your imagination to visualize the Earth’s surface.
5. Check to make sure that you have allowed for the features in your original
sketch to be incorporated into your model. If not, you may have to alter your
original sketch or alter your model in some way.
6. Repair any accidental tears with small sections of duct tape. Try to avoid using
too much duct tape on the outside of your model as it will detract from the overall
appearance of your watershed. With that said, bear in mind, that it is not how
pretty your watershed looks but more about how it performs for its final run and
matches your sketch, also.
7. When you are ready to begin testing your model, predict the pathway that your
runoff will follow as it moves throughout your watershed. Fill your spray bottle
with water after the teacher adds food coloring to it. DO NOT spray this water on
any student in class or you may stain or ruin their clothing. There will be a
consequence for doing so. Spray just enough water over your divide so that you
can determine how well your watershed is working. Use your cloth to dry off the
foil so that you may begin adjusting the landscape of your model. Gently lift up
the foil and adjust the areas below that may need building up, tearing down, or
altering the landscaper. You may have to add or remove newspaper balls.
8. Replace the foil and test it again. Continue testing and adjusting until you are
satisfied that you have a model that will follow the predicted pathway of run-off.
9. Be sure that the sketch that you submit matches the watershed that you are
ready to have tested. This may mean that you might have to draw a new sketch if
you make a lot of changes to your original sketch.
10. Your teacher will ask you several questions about the process of making your
model, most especially the problem-solving portion of this project, so be sure that
you know what you are going to say ahead of time. She will also ask you and
your partner to identify certain features on your watershed that are shown on
your sketch so be sure that you and your partner can identify all parts of your
watershed.