Hands-on experiments for teaching children about erosion, watershed management, and water resources

摘要

It is well documented that children determine if they are “interested” in math and science by the time they are in middle school. Therefore, it is important to reach children at that age with fun activities that help them learn about math, science, engineering, and their environment. This paper will discuss several hands-on experiments used to teach children about erosion, run-off, pollution, watershed management, and water resources. The two primary apparatus are a river meander demonstration table and a soil erosion box. These devices were constructed using relatively inexpensive materials and could be easily replicated by other interested parties. Both are portable and have been used for outreach activities as well as oncampus instruction. The river table is a 20” wide by 48” long by 4” deep Plexiglas box filled with sand. Students are given the opportunity to interact with the model (with instruction) such that they investigate river dynamics, sediment transport, erosion, and erosion control (using model gabions, riprap, and sponges). The soil erosion box is an 18” wide by 36” long by 3” deep wood box that can be filled with various materials and placed at variable inclines. The simulated rainfall run-off and eroded sediment are caught in glass jars at the end of the box. The amount of water and sediment can then be measured and conclusions drawn by students on the effect of slope, soil type, and ground cover on erosion and erosion control techniques. These experiments have been performed by middle school, high school, and college students with degree of complexity and expectations increasing with age. Finally, this paper will also discuss the success and failures of these models in teaching children and make recommendations for implementing similar outreach programs.