Aquifer in a Cup

By building their own aquifer, students learn about the geologic formations in an aquifer, how pollution can get into groundwater, and how pumping can cause a decline in the water table.

To illustrate how water is stored in an aquifer, how groundwater can become contaminated, and how this contamination ends up in a drinking water source. Ultimately, students should get a clear understanding of how careless use and disposal of harmful contaminants above the ground can potentially end up in the drinking water below the ground. This particular experiment can be done by each student at their work station.

The following activity demonstrates how different sizes of rock materials that make up an aquifer affect water movement. Students will play the role of water molecules, identify several sources of rock materials that make up an aquifer and discuss how water moves through gravel, sand, and clay.