Watersheds: Modeling and Investigation
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.
Details at a Glance
- 1-2 Days | 1-2 ~50 minute class periods
- 1 Activity
- Accommodates 24 classes, each with 6 groups of 4 students
- Consumables service 576 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.
Key Vocabulary: body of water, groundwater, runoff, water cycle, divide, precipitation, tributary, watershed
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
Kit Components
- 6 Lab-Aids® Watershed models
- 6 Pipets, 3-mL
- 12 Red/blue pencils
- 1 Blue food coloring , 15-mL drop controlled bottle
- 1 Teacher’s Manual with MSDS
- 28 Student Worksheets and Guides
- 1 Transparency 1: Map of Major U.S. Rivers
- 1 Transparency 2: Sample Map of Water Flow within the Model
- 1 Transparency 3: Map of the Mississippi Watershed Sub-Basins
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