Stream Table

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In this activity, learners use aluminum trays and wooden blocks to form stream tables to investigate river formations in two different landscape scenarios. Learners compare and contrast how the formation of the river differs if the topography of the land is changed from a flat plain to a terrain with hills and valleys.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
45 to 60 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$10 - $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 11 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model, Simulation
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Rectangular aluminum trays, such as turkey roaster pans
  • 32-quart rectangular plastic storage bins
  • Bag of sand, enough to fill each aluminum pan halfway
  • Spray bottles
  • Plastic water jugs with spigot
  • Wooden blocks, 4-6
  • Water
  • Notebooks or science journals

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Structure
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Oceans and Water
    • Earth's History
      • Geologic Time
  • Life Sciences
    • Ecology
      • Human Impact
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Gravity
      • Momentum and Velocity
    • States of Matter
      • Solids
      • Liquids
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations

Informal Categories

  • Model Building
  • Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Education, Science Friday

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Science Friday, 2010