Lesson Overview

In this 50-minute lesson, students will learn about how water flows naturally. They will also learn about how man-made or animal-made structures can redirect the flow of water. 
Standards & Objectives

Resources & Materials

Lesson

Stage 1: Observations & Comparisons (10 min)
Watch videos and look at pictures of dams, both man made and those occurring naturally. Compare the sizes, shapes, and materials used. Discuss why humans might build a dam. Discuss what happens to the water flow when a dam is put in place. Question how adjusting the size, shape, or position of the dam could change the flow.
Stage 2:  Designing & Building (30 min)
Imagine city workers need to adjust the flow of a river to put in new electrical poles. You will need to design a dam that will redirect the river to another location.  Consider what materials you can use that will withstand water flow for this project. Sketch and design a city dam structure. List materials, and design the model.
Stage 3 Testing & Reflection (10)
Test each design by creating a "river" with water flowing into the structure. Discuss height and direction of water flow. What adjustments need to be made? Which materials worked well for this project. Compare to real-world scenarios: What materials would be needed for a real river?