Groundwater Model

Grade Level: K-8

Time: 20 minutes-60 minutes

Learning Standards: LS2.C, LS4.D, ESS2.D, ESS3.A, PS3.B, ETS1.A

What we are Learning?

How water flows below the soil surfaces
There are many layers of soils including rock, clay, gravel and sand.
Some soils are permeable and some are impermeable
An impermeable layer may also be called a confining layer
Water trapped underground can create the conditions for a spring or artesian well.
Water flows because of gravity, from the highest elevation to the lowest.
Ground and surface waters are connected.
Contaminates can interfere and pollute groundwater and surface water systems.

Ground water model
Water
Buckets
Small containers to hold the colored water/other small items
Syringes that fit the model or adaptive tips (these usually come with the model but need replacement over time)
Glass jar, typically mason type with regular size opening
Aquarium air tubing
Bottles or containers to hold colored water
Carrying case
luggage cart or other cart for easy moving
Food coloring in the following colors
- Red, blue and green

Groundwater models vary based on what sediments are used, intake, outtake, surface water locations, and injection points.
Water is added to to the model representing precipitation. (This is typically a contact injection or input so precipitation will need explanation)
As water enters observers will follow the flow, although it may be difficult to see as there is no color to the water.
The precipitation will enter through the highest elevation (usually a bottle of water at one end), traveling to the lowest elevation model using gravity. (pointing out that the intake is much higher than the outtake helps students understand this better in terms of the model.
The educator then injects green water into the lower level of gravel an blue into the higher level so that students can watch how water travels through the model.
Most models will show how lower gravel levels of water will be pushed up into artesian wells and surface water.
If the model has a point source option, red water can be added to represent leakage from landfills, oil spills or other surface pollution sources. These may then show where the pollution may end up in drinking water.

Students will understand both ground and surface water and how they refill.
Students will understand that drinking water comes from more than one source some surface, some ground.
Students will understand that water moves because of gravity, from the highest level to the lowest.
Students will understand point source pollutants and how they may affect ground and surface waters.
Students will understand how confining layers can build pressure and cause springs or artesian wells.
Students will understand how confining layers and proper management can stop or eliminate contaminants from ground and surface waters.

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