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In this activity (located on page 6 of the PDF), learners explore the ways people access water in their homes. Learners investigate the way that water moves through a system and use problem solving skills to design a would-be working system. With pipe cleaners as "pipes," learners "install" a plumbing system in a "house" (diagram). Different color pipe cleaners are used to represent hot and cold water and drainage pipes, and learners must determine how to flow water to various fixtures in the building.
- 5 to 10 minutes
- 10 to 30 minutes
- 1 cent - $1 per student
- Ages 6 - 11
- Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per student)
- Plumbing diagram (page 7 of PDF)
- Pipe cleaners (three colors)
- Cardstock or poster board
- Scissors
- Glue
Subjects
-
Earth and Space Science
-
Earth Structure
- Oceans and Water
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Earth Structure
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Engineering and Technology
-
Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Technology
-
Engineering
-
The Nature of Science
- Science as a Career
-
The Nature of Technology
-
Technology and Society
- Impacts of Technology
-
The Design Process
- Problem Solving
-
Technology and Society
Informal Categories
- Arts and Crafts
- Model Building
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- see color
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Chicago Children's Museum, 2008