Water Managers
Discovery Center
Overview: Using a wetland model with sponges students will explore three water scenarios and record observations.
Time: 20 minutes

Location: Indoors

Learner Outcomes:

  1. Students will understand the mechanics of water management and be able to list one way it could be used to create water habitats for insects.

Materials

  1. 3 Bowls per group
  2. 3 3"X 6" sponges per Group
  3. Scissors
  4. Beaker with 500 Ml of water
  5. Journals

Preparation

  1. Tell each group that they are wetland managers (with this in mind explain that they only have a given amount of water to support their wetlands-the beaker).
  2. Have the groups develop each wetland and explain the wildlife that will be able to live there.
  3. Have them justify there choice for the long term management and support of their wetland.

You Will Need:

  1. 3 Bowls per group
  2. 3 3"X 6" sponges per Group
  3. Scissors
  4. Beaker with 500 Ml of water
  5. Journals

Do:

  1. Tell each Group that they are wetland managers, and must develop and maintain wetlands using only the water that they have.
  2. Have students design their wetlands using bowls sponges and scissors. They will need to cut the sponge in to a size that can be maintained by the water they have available (beaker).
  3. Once the initial wetland is set up groups must decide what type of aquatic life can be supported in their environment.
  4. Groups will write their finding in their journals and then discuss them as a whole group.