About 100 ml (half cup) of each of a variety of soils
A funnel
Filter paper disks folded into cones, one for each soil type
A graduated cylinder (or a teaspoon)
A jar of water
A tray or other container which will catch water
a. Prior to the activity
From where does ground water come?
What causes streams and rivers?
Do different types of soil hold different quantities of water?
Explain that the funnel is used to 'channel' the water once the soil has absorbed all it can hold.
b. After the activity
On a sheet of paper answer these questions with a partner. How did you know the soil was saturated?
What happened to the water once the soil was saturated?
Where does water go after it runs to a stream? (List at least 2 possibilities.)
Every 2 students will put a cone of filter paper in a funnel. Place 100 ml (about 1/2 cup) of dry soil in the funnel and tamp the soil gently. Pour 5 ml (about one teaspoon) of water onto the soil every 30 seconds until water appears at the bottom of the funnel. Repeat the experiment with the other soils and a new filter cone. Have students describe what process happens between the water and land to form streams.