Make a Lake

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Where rainwater goes after the rain stops? And why there are rivers and lakes in some parts of the land but not in others? In this activity, learners will make a model landscape using a plastic bin, sheet of plastic, and markers & food coloring to investigate the movement of water and find out how watersheds are formed. Step-by-step instructions are included with photos along with safety recommendations. Activity guide includes a "What's going on?" explanation and relevant connections to healthy watersheds, runoff, and the effects of pollution.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 6 - adult
Resource Types:
Activity, Model
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Plastic bin (at least 45 cm long × 30 cm wide × 10 cm deep)
  • 10-15 pieces of newspaper or scratch paper
  • Thin sheet of plastic, approximately 70 cm × 70 cm (tablecloth or shower curtain)
  • Black, blue, and green permanent marker
  • Tap water
  • Spray bottle filled with water
  • Two drinking cups (coffee mug or larger)
  • Blue and yellow food coloring
  • 30 mL (2 Tbsp) of coffee grounds
  • Rags or paper towels for cleanup
  • Scissors (optional)
  • Liquid measuring cup (optional)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Processes
      • Weather and Climate
    • Earth Structure
      • Oceans and Water
      • Biosphere
  • Engineering and Technology
    • Technology
      • Manufacturing
  • Life Sciences
    • Ecology
      • Ecosystems
      • Human Impact

Informal Categories

  • Nature and Environment

Audience

Learning styles supported:

  • Uses STEM to solve real-world problems
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • DIY Science Apps

Rights:

  • , The Regents of the University of California, 2015

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, DRL1114663