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ENGAGER \u2013 Skill Level: Two<\/h4>\n
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Activity:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Objective:<\/strong>\u00a0Identify areas susceptible to flooding Preparation Activities:<\/strong> What You Will Need:<\/strong><\/p>\n – Metal can (or other cylinder)<\/em> with two open ends Activity:<\/strong>\u00a0Percolation Exploration<\/p>\n A surface can be impervious (incapable of being penetrated)<\/em> or permeable (open to penetration)<\/em>. When it rains, the ground can help by soaking up rainfall, or runoff is created. Run off that has little opportunity to soak in anywhere creates one of the conditions that can lead to flooding.<\/p>\n Have the youth read the following activity from beginning to end, and then have them design a data collection sheet to use for this experiment. The data they record will depend on the variables they choose to investigate. Once explored, they might also hypothesize and investigate other variables that affect permeability.<\/p>\n Activity:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1) Find various land surfaces around your home or neighborhood such as grass, gravel, packed dirt, loose dirt, pavement, wood chips, a leaf pile, etc. Discussion:<\/strong> The \u201cHundred Year\u201d Flood<\/p>\n Given what the youth have discovered about the movement of water and impervious surfaces, ask them to utilize the internet resources in Explore More and It\u2019s All Connected to identify which areas in their neighborhood are more likely to become flooded.<\/p>\n Discussion:<\/strong> Search the internet for information and images about large floods in your area. Weather forecasters and scientists usually classify large floods based on how often they occur.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Complete this survey.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n USGS Water Science: 100 Year Floods<\/a><\/p>\n USGS Water Science: Surface Runoff<\/a><\/p>\n Current National Flood Forecast<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cPercolation Exploration\u201d & \u201cThe 100 Year Flood\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nLife Skill:<\/strong>\u00a0Responsibility, Communication
\nScience Skills:<\/strong>\u00a0Design a Chart, Collect and Interpret Data, Make Prediction<\/p>\n
\nCall your local County Public Works Department, DOE Storm water Specialists or a local meteorologist to find out about areas close to you that are known for flooding during heavy rains, and study the local map in \u201cIt\u2019s All Connected\u201d.<\/p>\n
\n– Pitcher or empty jug for pouring water
\n– Measuring cup
\n– Stop watch or watch with a second hand
\n– Pencil, Paper, Ruler or a software program for making a grid
\n– A flashlight might be helpful for peering into the can
\n– Access to the Internet<\/p>\n
\n2) Put your cylinder on each surface that you\u2019ve chosen. If you can, twist the cylinder into the surface a little.
\n3) Pour a measured amount of water, say 1\/4 cup into the cylinder. Using your stop-watch, time how long it takes for the water to soak into the ground.
\n4) Using the same procedure, test the other ground surfaces you\u2019ve chosen. Make sure to use the same amount of water and to record the time it took for the water to soak in to each surface.<\/p>\n
\nWhich surfaces soaked up water most quickly? Which soaked up the water most slowly? Did all of your surfaces soak up the water? Based on your observations, what do you think would happen in these areas during a small rainstorm? What about a big rainstorm? What other variables might affect how long it takes water to permeate a surface? How could we add those variables to our data sheet?<\/p>\n
\nWhat times of year does our area usually experience floods? What was the largest recorded flood you can find for our area? What does the term \u201c100 Year Flood\u201d mean?<\/p>\n<\/h5>\n
Finished this Activity?<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Explore More<\/strong><\/h5>\n