- Water movement under the Earth's surface
- Effects of watersheds, erosion, runoff
- Discharge and recharge of groundwater
- Concept of saturated and unsaturated zones
- Relationship between groundwater and atmospheric and surface water in the hydrologic cycle
- The extraction of groundwater for human use by drilling wells
- Effect of human activities at or near the land's surface on the groundwater supply
Materials Needed:
Set-Up Procedure:
1. Attach the piece of screen wire to one end of the 13-inch piece of 1/4-inch tubing, using a
rubber band.
2. Silicone the pieces of wood to one pane of glass, as shown. The edge of the glass should be
flush with the outside edges of the wood pieces. Be sure to use enough silicone to completely
seal the pieces together.
3. Silicone the pieces of glass tubing to the glass from step 2, as shown. The pieces of glass
tubing should extend about 3 inches from the top of the glass. The tubing from step 1 should be
adhered near the left side of the glass piece, with the screen-covered end at the bottom; this piece
is used to represent a well. Space the pieces of 1/2-inch tubing about one inch apart, with the
tops even, toward the right side of the glass; these represent points of entry for water at different
levels in the soil.
4. Silicone the other piece of glass to the top of the assembly to complete the body of the model.
5. Construct a stand or some other kind of support for the model. A base of 2"x4" lumber is
suggested.
6. Fill the model as desired with sand.
7. Place the 10-inch and 4-inch pieces of 1/4-inch glass tubing into the two holes of the rubber
stopper, allowing about 1 ½ inches to extend from the top.
8. Attach one end of one 2-foot piece of rubber hose to one end of the vacuum pump. Attach the
other end of the rubber hose to the 10-inch piece of glass tubing protruding from the top of the
rubber stopper.
9. Attach one end of the other 2-foot piece of rubber hose to the end of the 4-inch glass tubing
protruding from the top of the stopper.
*To use the model, saturate the sand by introducing water through the pieces of 1/2-inch tubing
extending from the top of the model. Fill the flask with water and place the stopper in the top.
The rubber hose extending from the 4-inch piece of glass tubing should be attached to the 1/4"
glass tubing representing a well in the model. When the hand pump is operated, water will begin
to flow from the well into the flask. Excess water will flow out of the loose end of the hose
attached to the pump -- you should have the bucket ready to collect this water.
Additional Suggestions & Information:
*The actual operation and set-up of the model will vary with the concept being illustrated. For
example, to show the effects of contamination by pollution in groundwater sources, you may
introduce colored water into the model through any of the 1/2-inch pieces of tubing. Students
will be able to see how and where the "contaminated" water moves through the soil to affect the
surrounding terrain.
*You may wish to allow the students to experiment with various topographical situations, such as
slopes, ponds, streams, etc. by rearranging the sand inside the model.
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