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Awesome Aquifers

Objective
To learn about groundwater, create a working groundwater aquifer model, and demonstrate one’s understanding of groundwater and related concepts.

Duration
60 minutes

Age Range
4th grade through adult

Materials
Save time and get all the supplies you need by purchasing the Awesome Aquifer Advanced Hydrology Kit from our online catalog, or see the following list of suggested materials that can also be used to build your model aquifer. Think creatively, you may discover additional materials to include or discover other ways to use materials than what is suggested below. 

• A transparent container: to build the aquifer in. This could be a large jar, 2-liter soda bottle, small aquarium, display box, plastic storage container, etc.
• Sand, gravel, soil, modeling clay/plumbers putty, sponges: represent geological strata
• Plastic medical syringe or soap/lotion pump: used as a well (pumping or injection)
• Aquarium airline tubing: can be used as part of a well
• Nylon netting, hosiery, coffee filter, or window screen: works as a well screen
• Rubber bands, plumber’s putty, modeling clay, or electrical tape: used in various ways to hold parts together (e.g. well screen)
• Spray bottle: used to demonstrate rain
• Liquid food coloring and/or powered drink mix: represents contamination
• 35-mm Film canister: can be used as an underground storage tank
• Plastic aquarium plants, toy people, buildings, and houses: optional decoration

Procedure
Students will need some initial groundwater knowledge prior to this activity. This activity is best when students have already been introduced to groundwater and related concepts. Discuss the concepts included in list provided and discuss related topics such as possible sources of groundwater contamination and possible prevention or reduction methods.  Divide your class into teams of 2-3 students (each team will need enough supplies to construct their own model). Distribute copies of the Awesome Aquifer Concept list (below) to the students as a guide for their construction and presentation.

Activity Steps

1. Design and build a working model aquifer (allow 30-45 minutes). Download and view this brief "How to Build a Groundwater Model" slide show if you need ideas to get your class started.
2. Allow the students time to discuss in their team how they will construct their model. Give the students ample time to construct a working aquifer with materials such as those listed above and maker sure they have had time to prepare a short presentation with their model.
3. Each team of students will present their model to the other teams, demonstrating and explaining concepts included in their model (10 minutes per team, use a timer.)
4. After each team of students has completed its demonstration have students discuss what they learned.
5. Discuss real world situations (drought, contamination…) that may affect groundwater supplies and discuss how communities and individuals might deal with these situations.

Variation
Allow the students to compete to see which team can create the best model. Use the concept list as a score sheet (below) and give students points for each concept they cover. Total points to see which team scored the highest.

National Education Standards
This activity meets the following educational standards

• SCIENCE: K-4.1, K-4.2, K-4.3, K-4.4, K-4.5, K-4.6, 5-8.1, 5-8.3, 5-8.4, 5-8.5, 5-8.6, 9-12.1, 9-12.3, 9-12.5, 9-12.6
• MATHEMATICS: PK-2.1, PK-2.2, PK-2.3, 6-8.1

Activity Source
Created by The Groundwater Foundation; modified from the Science Olympiad event, Awesome Aquifers.

Resources
Buy the Awesome Aquifer Advanced Hydrology Kit and receive materials, vocabulary terms, and expanded building instructions.

 

Concept List & Score Sheet
Award 1 point per concept, 20 points maximum

Groundwater Basics
Show and define the following concepts:

• Define groundwater
• Describe a way groundwater is used by humans

Hydrologic Cycle
Demonstrate the connection between surface water and groundwater by showing:

• Groundwater recharge from precipitation
• Groundwater recharge from a surface water body
• Groundwater discharge to a surface water body  
• Groundwater discharge to a wetland  

Physical Makeup  
Identify and define the following concepts:

• The saturated zone
• The unsaturated zone
• The water table
• Porosity in two different materials
• Permeability in two different materials  

Changes to a Groundwater System
Demonstrate and define the following changes to a groundwater system:

• A working well that extracts water
• Well siting, the importance of
• Well closure, the importance of
• Water movement and the relationship between pumping water and water movement in an aquifer
• The impact to a surface water body/wetland from well pumping
• One way to contaminate groundwater, give a real-world example
• Show movement of a contaminant in groundwater  

Remediation
Demonstrate a remediation technique:  

• Explain a real-world remediation technique
• Clearly show contamination reduction