Pollution in Our Watershed


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By building a simple watershed with paper and markers and then using a spray bottle to simulate precipitation, learners will understand how pollution accumulates in our water sources, especially from pesticides used in agriculture. This activity is great way for learners to visualize how pollution can contaminate distant lands by getting into the water cycle and then can be carried to the nearby ecosystems. This lesson includes background information, wrap up questions, and is standards-based. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]

Quick Guide


Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes

Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes

Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per group of students

Age Range:
Ages 6 - 14

Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Simulation

Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)


  • 1 page of white typing paper per team
  • 1 page of card stock per team
  • permanent markers of multiple colors; washable orange marker
  • tape
  • spray bottle
  • water

Subjects


  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Structure
      • Oceans and Water
      • Biosphere
    • Earth's History
  • Life Sciences
    • Ecology
      • Ecosystems
      • Energy Flow and Chemical Cycles
      • Human Impact

Audience


To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • touch

Other


Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • California Academy of Sciences

Rights:

  • , California Academy of Sciences, 2007