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