Education School Trunks

This is a great way to teach or reinforce learning about the water cycle. A playing field is set up (in the classroom or, better yet outdoors) with nine stations. Each station has a dice with drawings for other stations, and tokens. Through a simple roll of the dice and movement, students will play the role of a water molecule moving around the planet. Engagement include a description of the movement of water within the cycle and identify changing states of matter as water moves through the cycle. Includes a graphing component.

Science TEKS: 4.7(C), 4.8(B); 5.8(B,C)

This lesson leads students on using data to trace the flow of contaminants in groundwater. Students are presented a scenario where people in a town are falling ill, and the water wells are suspected to be the cause. Data is collected from wells and evaluation of that data is used to determine the source of the pollutant. This activity includes using a topo map. Distance learning extras include an animation of how surface activities can have an effect on groundwater.

Science TEKS: 6.1(B), 6.2(E), 6.8(B); 7.2(E), 7.8(C); 8.2(E)

This lesson leads students through defining a watershed and the contributing parts: headwaters, tributaries, receiving streams, lakes, bays, etc. Students will participate in the activity using common kitchen tools (all provided for independent learning). Students will use a topographic map to study the flow of water in a watershed.

Science TEKS: 6.8(B,E); 7.7(A),7.8(C); 8.9(C), 8.11(C)

Social Studies TEKS: 6.6(B), 6.21(F)

There are two lessons within this trunk. First, students will use water molecule models to learn about polarity, bonding, adhesion/cohesion and states of matter. There are 16 sets of the H20 model kits in the trunk. The second part of the lesson includes several hands-on activities using water where students explore the water properties of cohesion and adhesion. Students will participate in various ‘events’, using common kitchen and household products (all provided).

Science TEKS: 3.5(B), 4.3(B), 4.5(A), 4.8(B), 5.3(B) 5.5(A)