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It's time to prepare !
It's time to prepare !
Water, is an essential and critical molecule for life. Without water, there would be no life on Earth. The quality of our water can make the difference between life and death. Your STEM challenge for the 2025 Knowledge Bowl is to create an Advanced Water Filtration System.
Scenario: The ELP Research and Development team recruited the best and brightest minds from our Green Dot Expanded Learning Programs in a secret joint mission with NASA. NASA has discovered a life sustaining planet that is identical to our Earth, which they are naming planet HOPE. This planet is essential for our survival. Your teams have been tasked to create an Advanced Water Filtration System made up of commonly found items here on Earth, to equip NASA's Expeditionary Team to settle the first humans on planet HOPE. Your filter must:
Remove visible debris from local water sources
Remove impurities and chemicals found in the water
Measure water for purity, acidity, clearity, pH balance
The team that can create the most effective filter will have their device used by the exploratory team. Good luck teams.
Challenge Preparation
Challenge Preparation
A max of three team members will set up, prepare, and pour simulated water into the filter. Three team mates can participate at a time. All team members will participate.
Each team can build two (2) Advance Water Filters with an empty .5 liter clear empty water bottle, 1- 10x10cm piece of cheese cloth, 1 rubber band. Filter 1's function is to filter debris, filter 2's funtion is to filter purity levels.
Filter media can be comprised of a variety of materials. (see potential list below).
ph measuring strips (used for testing purity v. acidity of water)
The objective is to construct the most efficient water filtration system that filter the various impurities found in the water
The Challenge
The Challenge
Challenge One: Inspection and presentation
Each team setup and present to judges the two filters. Presentation should contain:
Team name, filter names, and school being represented.
The primary function of each filter.
Describe the filtering media used in each filter and how the materials used in each filter aids in filtering impurities.
Data collected from trail runs
Data, pictures and information need to be on a presentation board
Scoring: Points awarded for having all points presented on presentation board, exhibiting knowledge in the task and function of each filter.
Challenge Two: Filter 1- Debris Filtration
Teams of three will set up and prepare filter.
One member holds the filter, one member pours the simulated fluid, one member collects filtered water for measurement (teams must bring a holder for the filtered water).
Scoring: Teams will be measured on efficiency in removing particulates in water. Water will be measured for clarity.
Challenge 3: Filter 2- Water Purity
Teams of three will set up and prepare filter.
One member holds the filter, one member pours the simulated fluid, one member collects filtered water for measurement (teams must bring a holder for the filtered water).
Scoring: Teams will be measured on efficiency in removing chemicals and testing acidity in water by using pH strips. Water will be measured for purity and removal of acidity.
Tie Breakers: Choose best filter
If after tabulation during lunch there is a tie between schools a tie-breaker will occur.
Teams will use one of the used filters.
Tests 1 and 2 will be conducted on the reusability of the filter and measured for both clarity and purity.
STEM Challenge FAQ's
STEM Challenge FAQ's
What materials can I use?
Answer: Variety of materials can be used as filter media (e.g., cotton balls, coffee filters, aquarium gravel, play sand, uncooked macaroni, zeolite, activated carbon (rinse carbon with water and dry on newspaper or towels before using
Can we purchase a pre-built filter?
Answer: No. Teams must build and design their filters using various materials.
How many filters can our team bring or build ?
Answer: At the event, you can enter two filters for the STEM Challenge. Each filter is to fulfill an individual challenge.
What happens if is there is a tie?
See tiebreaker scenario above.
Why a presentation board ?
Answer: Teams must demonstrate understanding of the challenge and their testing method at schools. This is where your creativity can shine.
Can we paint our filters?
Answer: No. Filters must be clear to see the exact media used in the filter. You can be creative in the presentation board. Make it your own.
Resources
Resources
Here are a few video examples on various filters.
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