Constructing an aquifer model
In this activity, students build an aquifer model and examine how water gets into an aquifer system.
Aquifer model
In this activity, students use simple materials to build an aquifer model. The model provides a visual demonstration of how water gets underground and the connections between groundwater and surface water.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
discuss the part groundwater plays in the water cycle
describe the various pathways precipitation can take once it falls to the ground – infiltration, run-off, evaporation and uptake by plants
discuss the link between groundwater, surface water and the water table.
Building an aquifer model
In this video, educator Angela Schipper demonstrates how to build a model of an aquifer – a layer of rock or other material that carries water underground. This is an excellent activity that needs only a few easy to organise resources.
Point of interest
Teachers may want to ask students why the water does not simply disappear in the ground. (Not all rock layers in the ground are equally porous – some are impermeable).
Nature of Science
Scientists make use of models to test predictions. Models allow scientists to test a range of scenarios. without potentially harming the environment.
Download the Word file (see below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
student handout.
Related content
Follow up with the activity Groundwater contamination – it uses the same lunch box set-up to show how pollutants enter into groundwater and surface water.
These additional videos, Non-point source contamination and Point source contamination, offer additional help on how to use these activities in the classroom.
Find out here how the year 3 team at Hillcrest Normal School used our resources to teach about groundwater and pollution.
