Groundwater

Overview

Grade: 7th

Topic: Earth & Space Science

Standard: L7.ESS.1The hydrologic cycle illustrates the changing states of water as it moves through the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.

In this lesson students will be introduced to groundwater, its importance, and the issue of contamination

Format

  • Nearpod presentation providing background. You can either provide students with the code for them to work individually, or show as a classroom presentation. This is a link to an editable version of the presentation, so feel free to adjust for your class.

  • Live presentation of a groundwater model. Please contact your county's SWCD educator to schedule this.

  • Optional activity for students: Aquifer in a cup.

  • Quiz

Materials for optional activity

Each student or group of students will need the following (or to cut down on resources, this can be demonstrated by the teacher):

  • 1 clear plastic cup that is 2 3/4" deep x 3 1/4" wide

  • 1 piece of modeling clay or floral clay that will allow a 2" flat pancake to be made by each student for their cup

  • Sand that will measure 1/4" in bottom of each student's cup

  • Aquarium gravel(natural color if possible) or small pebbles (approximately 1/2 cup per student) (HINT: As many small rocks may have a powdery residue on them, you may wish to rinse them and dry on a clean towel prior to use.

  • Red food coloring

  • 1 container of water to pour into cup.

Lesson

Nearpod Presentation

  • Nearpod presentation providing background. You can either provide students with the code for them to work individually, or show as a classroom presentation. This is a link to an editable version of the presentation, so feel free to adjust for your class.

  • Or, you can watch it is a video

Schedule a Live Presentation


Or, watch this presentation of a groundwater model (16:00).

Learn about aquifers, recharge and discharge, and how pollution enters groundwater

Activity : Student Activity or Teacher Demo: Aquifer in a Cup

Build a mini aquifer in a cup using sand, gravel, and clay. Then pollute the water with food coloring to see how pollution can travel between the groundwater and surface water.


Assessment

Quiz - google forms 10 questions. 8 multiple choice, 2 short answer.


Extensions

Reading for Students

Chem Dyne - From the Environmental Protection Agency. Learn more about what happened and how cleanup occurred

Fernald (near Ross) - From the Environmental Protection Agency. Learn more about what happened and how cleanup occurred

These readings are provided through free registration on ReadWorks, a nonprofit that provides Common-Core-aligned readings.

  • Dirty Job (866 words and and Question Set) A reporter looks at the Hartford site's cleanup.

  • Think about what you drink (1,162 words and Question set). Looks at bottled water.


Video

How Does Groundwater Flow? (6:11) - What's an aquifer? Where is water under the ground? Why is it important? Here is a quick, fun activity exploring these topics and comparing how water moves through different ground materials; gravel, sand, and clay.


Questions or to schedule a presentation

Please contact your county SWCD educator