Natural Resources Bundle 1
Modeling and Investigating Watersheds (#437): This hands-on activity explores the dynamics of watersheds. Despite the significance of watersheds, many students get few opportunities to explore this important aspect of topography and its relationship to the water cycle. This activity not only provides students with firsthand experience with watersheds but also provides a knowledge base to better understand issues such as how an abandoned mine may influence water quality far from the mine site or how farming practices in Nebraska may influence the health of organisms in the Gulf of Mexico.
Watersheds: Modeling and Investigation (#442): Student groups use a specially engineered Lab-Aids river model to investigate the dynamics of erosion and deposition of sediments. Students observe, describe, and interpret the erosional and depositional patterns created when “rain” falls over a non-level sand surface. Common features created and described include stream channels, canyons, meanders, sand bars, and deltas. They consider the role of gravity and the destructive and constructive nature of flowing water.
Making and Interpreting Topographic Maps (#439S): This activity provides students with a basic understanding of topographic maps and how to interpret them. Students use a three-dimensional plastic model of landscape to construct a two-dimensional topographic map. This experience provides students with a better understanding of what contour lines represent and how to interpret them.
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Details at a Glance
- 3-6 Days | 3-6 ~50 minute class periods
- 3 Activities
- Accommodates 31 classes, each with 18 groups of 12 students
- Consumables service 744 students
- Meets our criteria for supporting literacy
- Includes digital resources
- Requires a water source
Scientific Concepts
•As part of the water cycle, water on Earth’s surface collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
•Scientists use appropriate tools, including models, to analyze and interpret data.
•Internal and external processes of the earth system cause natural hazards.
•Human activities can induce natural hazards.
•Landforms are the result of a combination of destructive forces (such as erosion) and constructive forces (such as deposition).
•Gravity transports water and earth materials over Earth’s surface where it collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
• MS-ESS2.A Earth’s Materials and Systems
Science and Engineering Practices
• Developing and Using Models
• Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
• Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Crosscutting Concepts
• Patterns
• Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
Key Vocabulary: body of water, groundwater, runoff, water cycle, divide, precipitation, tributary, watershed, delta, deposit/deposition, erode/erosion, sediments, contour interval, contour line, topographic map, topography
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Full downloadable Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Downloadable Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis questions
- All materials necessary to carry out the investigation
- Safety Data Sheets