The Energy of Fast Moving Water: A 5th Grade Science Experiment

Gather together the following items for your science project:

1. 2 two liter soda bottles
2. Water
3. Sand
4. Miniature houses and town stores and cars
5. Dishpan
6. A couple of books for propping
7. Saran Wrap
8. Tape
9. Cardboard
10. Spoon
11. Ruler

Follow the steps below to experience the kinetic energy in moving water:

1. Find a spot outside that is flat. The spot should be a decent size because you are going to be creating a whole town.
2. Get several feet of sand from the beach. If you are not located near a beach you can always buy some sand. Pour the sand out over your area. Make it about 2 feet wide by 3 feet long.
3. Dig out a river in the middle of your town with your spoon. Make your river 2 1/2 inches wide and the length of the whole town.
4. Create your town with your miniature houses, stores, and cars. Make sure you have some buildings along side the river and some far back behind the river. Be creative and have some fun with this step. You can even give your town a name.
5. Cut a 2 foot wide by 4 foot long piece of cardboard. Fold the cardboard in half. Do this so that the cardboard is long with the crevice going down the middle. Your piece of cardboard should now look like a V shape.
6. Tape some Saran wrap around your cardboard piece. This will protect it from the flowing water you are going to be pouring in it.
7. Use your books to create a sort of stand for your V shaped cardboard piece. The one end of the cardboard should be touching the beginning of your river. The other end should be higher so that the water will flow down in to the river.
8. Fill up your soda bottles with water from your kitchen sink. Slowly pour your water on to the cardboard V and allow it to flow slowly through your towns river. Take notes in your notebook as to what happens to the river, to the riverbanks, and to the surrounding town.
9. Fill up your soda bottles again with the water from your kitchen sink. Pour this water out as fast as you can in to the V shaped cardboard. Take notes in your notebook as to what is happening to the river, the riverbed, and the surrounding town. Have your students compare their findings to some pictures of towns that have experienced floods or hurricanes that have produced a lot of rain. The students can then present an oral report on everything they have learned or a written report if the teacher prefers.