The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Second Grade STEM: The Water Cycle and Water Filtration

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Creating a Water Filtration System

A 2nd grade STEM lesson

Deliah Cottle

November 22nd, 2023

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Notes for teachers

�This lesson can take place in a classroom or STEM club.�

• Students may work in small groups of 2 or 4.
• An emphasis on the water cycle.
• Facilitate student discussion on the the process and importance of filtering drinking water.

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List of Materials:

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• 6 pack of small soda bottles (16.9 Oz)
• 2 Cotton balls (per filter)
• 1 Cup of sand (per filter)
• 1 Cup of rock/gravel (per filter)
• 1 Cup of activated charcoal (per filter)
• 1 Pair of scissors (per filter)
• 1 Plastic cup (per filter)
• 6 cups of muddy water (make (per filter) your own by mixing dirt or mud into water)
• 1 hammer and a plastic bag (optional) - for crushing the carbon/charcoal.

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Watch Video Example Here:

https://www.generationgenius.com/videolessons/water-quality-and-distribution-video-for-kids/

Standards

Science Standards:

2.E1U1.5: Develop and use models to represent that water can exist in different states and is found in oceans, glaciers, lakes, rivers, ponds, and the atmosphere.

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Science and Engineering Practices:

• ask questions and define problems
• develop and use models
• plan and carry out investigations

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Standards

ELA Standards:�2.RI.3: With prompting and support, describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.

Social Studies:�2.E4.1: Describe the public services that governments provide and how they meet the needs of individuals.

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Objectives:

1. Construct a water filtration system that can successfully filter the dirty water to clean water.�
2. Recount the four steps of the water cycle in order.�
3. Identify the importance of water filtration and the impact on our community.

Agenda (60 minutes): Class/After School activity

10 minutes: Open with driving questions, read “What is the water cycle”. (Use whiteboards for student engagement) and study the diagram.��10 minutes: Watch “How does water get to us”. Quick discussion to refocus attention on the collection stage. This is what we filter to drink.

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5 minutes: Read “Why do we filter our water?”. Ask the driving question again. �

5 minutes: Introduce the specific materials and explain the directions.. ��20 Minutes: Create and test the water filter.�

10 minutes: Closing discussion and assessment (See slide for printout link and differetian)

Driving Questions

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Why is it important to know where our water is coming from?�

What would happen if we did not filter our drinking water?

What is the Water Cycle?

First, evaporation is when the sun turns water from lakes, rivers, and even puddles into invisible steam in the air. Imagine water turning into a cloud in the sky!

Next, he warm air meets the cold air high up in the sky, the condensation happens. The invisible steam turns back into tiny water droplets and forms clouds.

Then, the clouds get heavy with water droplets, and then something amazing happens! The water droplets stick together and fall from the sky as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. This falling water is called precipitation.

Last, when the rain or snow reaches the ground, it collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans. This is called collection. The water is ready for a new adventure in the water cycle! he Water Cycle Keeps Going! The water cycle is like a big circle that never stops. The sun helps water travel up to the sky, form clouds, and fall back to the ground. This journey happens again and again, keeping our planet's water always moving!

Vocabulary Words

• Evaporation: When the sun turns water into invisible steam in the air.
• Condensation: The process when invisible steam turns back into tiny water droplets to form clouds.
• Precipitation: The falling of water from the clouds, like rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
• Collection: When water collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans on the ground. - this is where we get drinking water.

How does water get to us to drink?

Why do we filter our water?

Have you ever wondered why we don't just drink water straight from the tap or a river? Well, let me tell you a little secret – it's because water goes on a journey before it reaches our cups and water bottles!

Before reaching our homes, water is gathered during the water cycle in places that collect water. Like a lake, river or even below the ground. This is the water the we will eventually drink. This water is super important for us. It keeps us healthy, helps us grow, and makes sure our bodies can move and play. But, before we gulp it down, we want to make sure it's clean and safe. That's where filtering comes in!

Imagine water taking a shower before it joins us for a drink. It goes through a process called filtering. Just like how you use a strainer to keep out the lumpy bits when you make spaghetti, water gets filtered to get rid of things that can make us sick or taste gross.

Sometimes, water can have tiny things in it that we can't see with our eyes – like little dirt particles or germs. Yucky, right? Filtering helps take away these unwanted guests and leaves us with fresh and clean water.

There are different ways to filter water. Some places use big machines with special filters that catch the tiny troublemakers. Others use layers of sand and gravel to clean the water up. This makes sure the water will not make us sick when we drink it.

So, the next time you grab a glass of water, remember that it went on a journey through the filter to make sure it's the best, tastiest, and healthiest drink for you.

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Split the students into groups of 3 or 4.
• Cut off the bottom of the plastic bottle with scissors (keep the cap on). DO NOT allow students to do this step.
• Stuff cotton balls into the neck of the bottle.
• Crush the activated charcoal (optional, but it will work best this way).
• Pour it into the bottle.
• Next add the sand to the bottle.
• Then add the gravel.
• Loosen the cap and set your water filtration system on top of the plastic cup
• Gently add muddy water into the top.
• Observe what happens as the muddy water is filtered.

Warning: Do not drink this water, it is not filtered enough for that.

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Assessment: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1blaubGImchI8BPoY77mlkcIeKxSoSAAt0nb5qogGgFY/edit?usp=sharing�

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Differentiation

• Give students that need extra support a word bank with the four words. �
• Pair students up; students with a higher level of support with those who are able to work more independently.�
• Allow students to draw the four steps instead of label the four steps.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Students can read the following texts and identify five ways that they can be more responsible consumers of water.
• Why should I save water?

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- Water is Water

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References

(Resources used/Works cited)

DIY Water Filtration Activity for Kids. (n.d.). Generation Genius. https://www.generationgenius.com/activities/water-quality-and-distribution-activity-for-kids/

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How Does Water Get to Your House? - YouTube. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. https://youtu.be/cGi4PugN4qY

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Makichuk, D. (2020, June 10). Aussies can clean dirty water with nanosheets. Asia Times. https://asiatimes.com/2020/06/aussie-process-cleans-dirty-water-with-nanosheets/

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The Water Cycle for Kids | Learn all about the water cycle. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD3XSIE4ymo

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Water Cycle Lesson for Kids: Definition & Facts - Video & Lesson Transcript. (n.d.). Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/water-cycle-lesson-for-kids-definition-facts.html