Wetland Filter Model

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In this quick activity (located on page 2 of the PDF under GPS Wetlands Activity), learners will model how wetlands act as natural filters for the environment. Learners prepare a mixture of water, soil, gravel, and leaves and then pour it down a piece of artificial grass, observing how much gets trapped in the fake grass and comparing water at the bottom with the initial “polluted” sample. Relates to the linked video, DragonflyTV GPS: Wetlands.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • water
  • gravel
  • soil
  • crushed leaves
  • a 500 mL beaker
  • 3 - 25mL beakers
  • a spoon or stirring rod
  • a paint tray
  • a piece of outdoor carpeting (the kind that looks like fake grass)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Structure
      • Oceans and Water
      • Biosphere
  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
    • Ecology
      • Ecosystems
      • Human Impact
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Model Building
  • Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • DragonflyTV

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2007

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, 610429