Earth's Water

Water Cycle - Desalination

Students have been reading about Earth's Water and it's scarcity and questioned the ability to use salt water.
Showed a clip

Students make prediction about their ability to make a water still


materials
measuring cup, plastic wrap, small glass, large glass bowl, salt, water

1. Measure 100 mL water into large glass bowl (we used a gold fish bowl)  Mix in 1 tablespoon salt. 2. Stir until dissolved.  

3. Place small glass into large bowl

4. Cover with plastic wrap

5. put marble on top, allowing wrap to lower into the jar slightly

6. Secure in place with rubber band around top of jar.

7. Place in sunny location for around 4 hours.

After 4 hours, we made observations...

          

The students noticed the condensation inside the jar, on the plastic wrap, and in the cup.  We made predictions if it would be salty water.

When we peeled back the plastic wrap, the students could feel warm air above the jar.

  

They tested the water in the cup and determined that it was fresh!

We are continuing our study by reading about desalination plants and the water shortage in California and properties of water, solutions, separating mixtures...

lesson plans

http://water.epa.gov/learn/kids/drinkingwater/upload/The-Water-Sourcebooks-Grade-Level-3-5.pdf

http://wupcenter.mtu.edu/sustainability/lessons/Water-A_Valuable,_Yet_Limited_Resource_Gr4-5.pdf

http://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewResourceLesson/Preview/29818

http://www.seametrics.com/water-lesson-plans - lots of links

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/pdfs/activity_grades_k-3_activitybook.pdf

articles

http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/water-cycle/?ar_a=5

water cycle video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAnDlYRycqs 

http://www.drippytheraindrop.com/DrippysWorldTrialStories/ToMountainsAndBack/Page1.htm

Writing

http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/remediation_hudson_pdf/hrlpwatercycle.pdf

http://thewaterproject.org/resources/the_water_cycle

Links

http://danadesign.org/