Part 1: Water Purification

Goals

  1. Understand the importance of clean water.
  2. Understand and apply measurements and conversions
  3. Be able to make own purified water.

Resources
Spangler, Joyce T.Ý ed. Focus On Earth Science Laboratory Manual.Ý Merril Publishing Co.: Columbia, 1985.
Pulsen, Gary. Voyage of the Frog .

Materials

medium size bowl

water

2 coat hangers (or bendable wire)

pen (felt tip)

pan (larger than circumference of the bag)

plastic bag (clear)Ý

sun lamp or bright sunshine

sand or soil

Time
1.5 Hours

Procedure

  1. Discuss the importance of clean water (drinking and cooking) and how water is necessary for survival on the sea and
    at home. Review Chapter 9 of Voyage of the Frog where David explains his water supply and how he forces
    himself to ration water each day.
    --What if David did not have clean water to drink?
    --What would you do?
  2. Problem Solving: How much water can he drink in one month if he has 20 gallons? 10 gallons?
    1 gallon = 4 quarts
    1 quart = 2 pints
    1 cup = 8 ounces
    1 gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 16 cups = 128 ounces
  3. Explain that water can be purified through a distillation process; and that this process may be used in
    emergency situations. (lab)
  4. a. Bend the coat hanger into a frame.
    b. Mix the sand or soil with the water in the bowl. Mark the water level on the inside with the pen.
    c. Place the bowl in the pan and place the wire frame over it.
    d. Pull the plastic bag over the frame until it touches the pan. Record the appearance of the water.
    e. Set the apparatus to stand undisturbed. Observe and record your observations after about ten minutes and
    again after 30 minutes in the Table provided.
    f. Allow the apparatus to stand undisturbed. Observe and record your observations after about ten minutes
    and then again after 30 minutes in the table.

Assessment

  1. Students will turn in a summary of their results of the lab.
  2. Students will do the problem solving activity. Criteria for success: correct procedure and answer. See Rubrics
    for Water Purification

Major Concepts

  1. Science - Experiment of water purification
  2. Social studies - Survival skills, applying the use of scientific knowledge
  3. Math -Use of measurement, problem solving 

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Submitted By St. Norbert College Ocean Voyagers Program