Materials Required:
Cookies or crackers (representing soil or land surface)
Paper plates (one per student or group)
Toothpicks (to simulate animals pecking at the soil)
Water droppers
Straws (to simulate wind)
Notebook and pencil for recording observations
Steps Involved:
Prepare the Experiment: Start by giving each student or group a paper plate and a few cookies or crackers. These will represent the soil or land surface in the experiment.
Simulate Wind Erosion: Have students use a straw to gently blow on the crackers. This simulates the effect of wind on the soil. Students should record their observations, noting any changes in the crackers’ surface.
Simulate Animal Activity: Next, have students use a toothpick to poke and break the surface of the crackers. Explain that this simulates the effect of animals and birds pecking and loosening the soil. Afterward, have them blow on the crackers again with the straw and record the changes they observe.
Simulate Rain Erosion: Using a water dropper, students will add drops of water onto the crackers, simulating the effect of rain on the soil. They should observe how the water affects the structure of the crackers and record their observations.
Analyze and Discuss: After completing the steps, have students review all their recorded observations and discuss what they learned about erosion. Encourage them to consider how wind, animals, and rain interact to shape the landscape over time.