Erosion Station Sand + Water

Bowl of sand
Foil pan
Water
Cups (for building sandcastles and pouring water)
Water bottles (for spraying and squirting water)
Recording Sheets (for noting observations)
Prepare the Experiment:

Fill a bowl with sand and place it in a foil pan.
Provide cups and water bottles filled with water.
Build Sandcastles:

Have students use the cups to build simple sandcastles in the foil pan.
Spray with Water:

Instruct students to spray the sandcastle with a water bottle and observe the changes. Repeat this process a few times.
Direct Squirt:

Have students use the water bottle to squirt a direct line of water at the sandcastle. Observe and note any differences in the erosion effects compared to spraying.
Pour Water:

Next, have students pour water over the sandcastle from a cup and observe the changes. Discuss how pouring water affects the sandcastle differently than spraying or squirting.
Record Observations:

Have students record their observations on the provided sheet, noting the differences in how the sandcastle erodes with each method of water application.
Discussion:

Discuss with students how different types of water application simulate various natural erosion processes. Explore why each method has a different impact on the sandcastle.
Clean Up:

Have students put the sand back into the bowl to prepare the station for the next group.
Reflection:

Ask students what they learned about erosion and how different water application methods helped them understand the process of erosion on sandy structures.