• Recommended Grades: 2-4
• Number of Students: 24 working in six groups of four
• Hours of Lessons/Activities: 10+

Students will investigate forces that cause the earth surface to change. They will design a simulated rain event. Students will also show how different soils react to rain events, build and design dikes to control erosion and make a structure that can withstand a simulated earthquake.

Major Concepts & Big Ideas:

1. What conditions are necessary for rain to occur? How does rain shape Earth's surface through weathering and erosion?
2. What soils are best for absorbing water and reducing erosion on Earth's surface?
3. What happens to water as it flows down a river or stream? How does flowing water help change Earth's surface?
4. Design and build an area that helps control erosion due to rain.
5. How can we control erosion in our local environment?

Standards Alignment:

Included Materials:

• Food Storage Container - Pack of 3 (2)‚  ‚ ‚ 
• Plastic Wrap (1)
• Rubber Bands - Pack of 12 (1)‚  ‚ 
• Ice Pack - Reusable (6)
• Leak Proof Tray for Garden Starter Pots (6)‚  ‚ ‚ 
• Graduated Cylinder (6)
• Plastic Cup - Pack of 16 (1)
• Wood Block (36)
• Sisal Trees - Pack of 6 (4)
• Craft Sticks - Pack of 100 (2)
• Snap Cubes‚® - Set of 500 (1)
• Plastic Bag w/Zipper - Pack of 12 (2)
• Drinking Straw - Pack of 180 (2)‚  ‚ 
• Potting Mix - Moisture Control (2)
• Soil - Clay (1)
• Sand (1)
• Aquarium Gravel (1)
• Pebble Stones (2)‚  ‚ ‚ 
• Plastic Storage Container (1)
• eceSTEM Leader's Expedition Guide - Shaping the Earth (1)