Bowl of sand
Foil pan
Cups (for building sandcastles)
Straws of different diameters
Recording Sheets (for noting observations)
Prepare the Experiment:
Fill a bowl with sand and place it in a foil pan.
Provide cups for building sandcastles and straws of different diameters.
Build Sandcastles:
Have students use the cups to build simple sandcastles in the foil pan.
Blow Air with Straws:
Instruct students to use a straw to blow air onto the sandcastle to mimic wind. Observe the changes. Repeat this process with straws of different diameters to see varying effects.
Observe Changes:
Have students observe any changes in the sandcastle caused by the blowing air, such as displacement or erosion of the sand.
Record Observations:
Students should record their observations on the provided sheet, noting the differences in how the sandcastle erodes with each straw size.
Discussion:
Discuss with students how blowing through the straws simulates wind erosion and why different straw sizes have different impacts on the sandcastle.
Clean Up:
Ensure that students dispose of their used straws properly to maintain hygiene and prepare the station for the next group.
Reflection:
Ask students what they learned about erosion and how different straw sizes helped them understand the process of wind erosion on sandy structures.