Your job is to work as a team to design a model that shows how an aquifer works. You should discuss things as a team and share ideas, but each person complete his/her own report sheet.
Also: you must have your plan initialed before you can actually begin to make it. You have a limited amount of time so use it wisely!
Let’s see if you can design your own aquifer!
Team members
________________________________________________________________________
Before you begin
What is an aquifer and how does it work?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Brainstorm:
How can you use the following materials to demonstrate how an aquifer works?
A plastic cup of gravel
A measuring cup
A small cup of dry sand
A pitcher of water
Note:

You can ONLY use the materials listed.

Explain how you are going to use the model to show how an aquifer works.

Write out your ideas on the back of the sheet (number each step).

GET THE TEACHERS INITIALS BEFORE YOU TRY OUT YOUR IDEA!

Follow your procedure!

All work needs to be done on the back of this sheet of paper and turned in.

Objective: The student will be able to design a model of an aquifer with a partner using the given materials and they should be able to discuss and share their ideas with the entire group.
Standards: 6.3.8, 6.3.16
Materials: 1 large plastic cup per group, a measuring cup, a plastic cup of gravel, a small cup of dry sand, a pitcher of water, worksheet (attached), pencils. Optional materials: clay, drinking straw (to create a well)
Background information:
See Background information in Freshwater Frenzy document.
Procedure:
1.
Prior to center activity, students need to have a basic understanding of an aquifer and what its purpose is.
2.
Put the students in groups of four or five.
3.
Pass out the Aquifer Activity Worksheet.
4.
Give the students 5-10 minutes to work through the top of the worksheet.
5.
Pass out the group’s materials.
6.
Allow another 5-10 minutes for group to build aquifer.
7.
Clean up and move on to the other centers.
Assessment: Check the back of the worksheet for accurate ideas. Check how well they created the aquifer and how well they worked in a group.