Interactive Projects

Overview
In this activity, students will learn about the way in which water pollution upsets the fragile balance of nature. Students will visit two related Web sites: one that offers an animation of the water cycle, the other a list of supplies and instructions for building a model water cycle out of everyday household materials. Finally, students will use the scientific method to make predictions about their water cycle and to draw conclusions about water pollution as a destructive force.

Objectives

• To learn about the water cycle through an on-line animation that can be viewed on the World Wide Web.
• To identify the harmful effects of water pollution on the environment.

Getting Started
Introduce the activity by bringing to class a jar of water concealed inside a paper bag. Hold the bag in front of students, and inform them that it contains a precious substance and ask them to guess the contents. After allowing ample time for speculation, remove the jar so that students can see it contains water. Explain that our planet's water supply is in danger at present. Reveal that students will presently visit two Web sites that will prepare them to complete an experiment that will help them better understand the source of this danger.

Classroom Follow-up
If space is available on a windowsill in the classroom that receives much sunlight, invite students to set up their model water cycles in class. Students may wish to affix a label with their name to their jar. Have students share and compare their findings, both before and after adding pollutants to their water cycles. Conclude by asking a group of volunteers to investigate the pollution levels of water sources in their own community and, if applicable, to find out what action local government is taking to deal with the problem.