The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Roman Aqueduct: STEM Challenge

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Roman Aqueducts

STEM Challenge

A 6th grade STEM lesson

Jill Barron

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March 15, 2023

Notes for teachers

• Show students examples of aqueducts on You Tube
• allow students to use various types of tubing/pipes and methods to allow water flow
• allow students two trial times during build time
• drill small holes on the tops of 2 liter bottle caps for the tubing to fit in

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List of Materials

• 5 gallon bucket
• scissors
• 2 liter bottle filled with water
• cardboard
• plastic tubing
• tape measure
• duct tape
• popsicle sticks
• hot glue gun and sticks
• tin foil

Standards

6.P2U1.4 Develop and use a model to predict how forces act on objects at a distance.

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6.L2U3.11 Use evidence to construct an argument regarding the impact of human activities on the environment and how they positively and negatively affect the competition for energy and resources in ecosystems.

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Standards

Science and Engineering Practices

● ask questions and define problems

● develop and use models

● plan and carry out investigations

● analyze and interpret data

● use mathematics and computational thinking

● construct explanations and design solutions

● engage in argument from evidence

● obtain, evaluate, and communicate information

Objective(s):

Today you are going to create an aqueduct that can transport two liters of water across a short distance in the classroom. This challenge is to create an aqueduct that can supply a Roman city with clean water for their private homes, public baths, and as crop irrigation.

Agenda (lesson time)

3 Days:

Day 1: Introduction to aqueducts in the Roman world.

Roman Aqueducts intro video

Construct an Aqueduct -game

Students will create a blueprint based on the above information.

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Day 2 and 3: Build and Test Aqueduct System

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Day 3: Assess Aqueducts with rubric

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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How did the Roman Empire supply it citizens with water?

What techniques can be used if mountains and valleys exist between the water source and the city?

How is today’s water system similar or different to that of the Romans?

What are some major constraints for this project that the Romans also had difficulties with?

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• 2-3 students per group
• show the video
• review the list of items that they can use and discuss what other items could be used
• allow build time
• allow for changes to be made on the aqueduct

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Assessment

Differentiation

list of vocabulary words used in this project

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limit supplies to make the aqueduct easier to construct

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show examples of projects that were successful

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

After the completion of the challenge, modify the course adding a line of blocks across the table perpendicular to the flow as a hurdle or a low hill that the water must be delivered over.

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Add different elements along the aqueduct such as a covered trench, a tunnel, pressurized pipe, wall or arcade.

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