US Environmental Protection Agency
Building an Model Aquifer
With almost half of Americans relying on groundwater supplies, it is more important than ever to protect aquifers from possible contaminants. Working in small groups, young environmentalists explore this problem as they create an aquifer...
University of Waikato
Constructing an Aquifer
Rainwater doesn't stay where it falls. Learners use modeling to demonstrate how rainwater disperses once it hits the ground. The activity includes an investigation of the height of the water table in an aquifer and how it is affected by...
Curated OER
What is an Aquifer?
Learners examine how an aquifer operates. They discuss the implications of the groundwater becoming contaminated. They work together to create an aquifer model to observe the connection between surface water and groundwater.
Curated OER
Aquifer Model
Students, after researching and brainstorming about aquifers and locating aquifer maps of Texas, participate in the building of a model of an aquifer complete with a pumping station. They also answer a variety of questions at the...
Curated OER
A Model Aquifer
Students build a model that depicts how water is stored in an aquifer. They examine ways in which groundwater can become contaminated.
Curated OER
Aquifers and Groundwater
Students understand the purpose of an aquifer. In this aquifer and groundwater lesson, students build a model aquifer find its relationship to water usage. Students record observations as they build the layers of the aquifer.
Curated OER
Land and People: Cape Cod Activity 1
Young scholars make a model aquifer to study the uniqueness of Cape Cod's ground-water system. Using the model., they determine how easily contamination spreads in the aquifer system by completing and recording three activities. Using...
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Build Your Own Aquifer
Ever wondered how an aquifer works? Introduce your class to the amazing way many people get water by exploring how underground aquifers work. Two fun hands-on activities are used to help kids understand what an aquifer is, how it works,...
Curated OER
Ground Water: Construct a Model Aquifer
Students recognize that one source of drinking water is ground water located in aquifers. They create a model of an aquifer and summarize their experience in a report.
Curated OER
Groundwater Flow Demonstration Model
Students investigate the concept of groundwater that includes aquifers, groundwater flow, and the water table. They participate in activities using a flow demonstration model. Its use engages all types of learners because of its hands on...
Curated OER
Water: A Necessity for Life
Students examine types of aquifers and make a model landfill. In this water usage lesson, students determine the difference between confined and unconfined aquifers. They build a model landfill, observe it for two weeks, and analyze what...
University of Waikato
Groundwater Contamination
Scientists study how pollution occurs in hopes of minimizing its effects. A quick activity shows how point and non-point source pollution enters groundwater and aquifers. Learners mimic the phenomenon with models that show how rain...
Curated OER
Groundwater Detectives
Learners measure the pH of soil samples from a hypothetical site to locate a contaminant spill and will predict the direction of groundwater flow using mathematical modeling. They use the engineering design process to develop...
Curated OER
Studying Aquifers in Outcrop
Students describe two or more different rock types found in outcrop. Students look specifically at the hydro-geologic properties of the rocks and complete the lab with a paper explaining a scientific phenomenon in layperson terms.
Curated OER
Where Does All the Water Go?
Students view a demonstration of how groundwater flows and define several related vocabulary terms. They complete a worksheet, participate in discussion and make a poster.
Curated OER
Water Pressure Experiments
Students perform experiments measuring water pressure. They record their observations after poking holes in plastic bottles filled with water with the lids on and then off. They discover the role gravity plays in the water flow.
Curated OER
Biocomplexity Lab Activity: Permeability
Students identify how water moves through materials such as rocks or sand. Students measure the permeability of water through glass spheres to represent the movement of water in sand, an aquifer, or another sediment. During the...
Curated OER
What Goes On Down Under?
Young scholars explore the sources for recharge and discharge of groundwater. They research the connection between surface water and groundwater. Students construct a model of an aquifer and explore recharge and discharge of the aquifer.
Curated OER
"Tri-County" Project--Well in a Cup
Students construct a model of a well to identify how water is brought to the surface. Signs of pollution are investigated.
Curated OER
Do You Drink It?
Young scholars explore the aquifer. They create a model of an aquifer and explain how a well works. Students explore the relationship between a well and the water table. They explore the various ways that groundwater becomes contaminated.
Curated OER
Groundwater as Part of the Water Cycle
Ninth graders study the effects of soil and rocks on filtering groundwater. In this groundwater lesson students complete a lab activity that includes sources of contamination.
Curated OER
Water: Naturally Cleaned
Learners use stream trays covered in different types of rocks or soil to investigate infiltrates and runoff. In this water pollution lesson, students work in groups with stream trays that have different substrates. They write a paragraph...
Curated OER
What's Down the Well?
Middle schoolers examine how environmental engineers determine possible sites for drinking water wells. They listen to a teacher led-lecture, and create their own groundwater well model using a coffee can and wire screening, observing...
Curated OER
Identifying Watersheds with Topographic Maps
Middle schoolers model a watershed and delineate one using topographic maps. In this hydrology lesson, students use aluminum foil to model a landscape and observe how water moves on it. They also observe the features of a topographic map...