Activity Timing
Introduction: 5 min
Investigate: 40 min
Reflect: 10 min
55 min. Total
Prep Corner
- Post EDP Poster
- Make 8 filter bases, p. 37
- Create Investigation chart Chart p. 32
- Set up materials table: filter materials & scissors
- Create charcoal filter and yellow test water, p. 32
Key Terms
Water Filter: A technology that improves water quality by removing particles or contaminants as the water passes through.
EDP Steps Used In This Activity
Investigate
Purpose
Youth explore how different water filter materials reduce contaminants.
Quick Tips
- Results are subtle: Try photos or side-by-side comparisons on a white background.
- Help youth discover on their own that slowing down the filter improves results.
- Cheat Tip: Sand or cotton balls packed tightly into the nozzle slow the filter rate.
- Help youth interpret test results/decide on fair test procedures like shaking samples.
Videos Related to this Activity
Science Snippet: Build your content knowledge to help answer youth's questions.
Replay the Special Report video from 4:05 to 4:15 to remind youth about water filters in the reuse process.
Science Reflection
Today we investigated different materials to see how well they removed or reduced different water contaminants.
Key Take Away
We can improve water quality with filters.
Did you know?
Flint, Michigan gives filters to residents to improve water quality. Lead in pipes dissolves into drinking water and is very harmful to humans. Lead can be removed by filters.