MATERIALS:
Natural materials (rocks, dirt, sticks) and a water source (a hose, a bucket of water, a stream).
TIME FRAME:
30 – 60 minutes
PROCEDURE:
- With permission, find a spot in your yard where you can create your dam and no one will trip on it (think about building out of the path) and where you can easily carry a bucket of water or a hose to. If there is a small hill or incline somewhere in your yard or on your property, that would be the perfect place to build!
- Think about the purpose of a dam (to catch/stop water from flowing where it would normally flow), so begin by simply pouring some water on the ground and watching where it travels to.
- Begin building your dam where it will stop the natural flow of water.
- Once your dam is complete, pour some water behind the dam and watch what happens. If the water pushes through your dam, fix the holes so the water can’t penetrate.
- Keep building and experimenting with the water until you are happy with your creation!
REFLECTION:
Where did you choose to build your dam and why? What do you think might happen if you left your dam in place and it rained very hard? Would it remain intact? Would it catch some of the rainwater runoff? How might that affect the area below the dam?
CONNECTIONS:
Humans have been building dams, lakes, and reservoirs for many, many years. Some people believe it is the right thing to do, while others believe that doing so is detrimental to the environment. You can do your own research and decide for yourself what you think the best answer is. Keep in mind, though, there will always be people that will disagree with each other on all topics.
TIPS & IMAGININGS:
Imagine that you are a fish swimming in a stream and suddenly, you cannot go any further because a large dam is in your way. How might you get around it? Can you get around it? How might dams affect local ecosystems that are dependent on the flow of water for their health?
xoxo,
M
