A Meandering Story: An Introduction to Stream Geomorphology
Topics: Hydrology Observation Rivers and Streams Scientific Process
Skills: Data Manipulation Measuring Modeling Observation
Grade Levels: Grades 3-5 Grades 6-8
Resource Types: Kits
Settings: Indoors
As water flows through a stream channel, a dynamic balance of sediment erosion and deposition happens constantly. Water velocity is one of the main influences on sediment behavior in a stream system. Within a stream channel, sediment is typically eroded in faster-moving water and deposited in slower-moving water. In this lesson, students will actively explore how a stream’s water velocity influences sediment erosion, deposition and transport through activities and simulations. Students will flow through a stream channel as water to understand how water velocity influences sediment erosion, transport, and deposition. In the final activity, students will examine a topographic map of local streams to identify the physical characteristics that were covered in the lesson.
A Meandering Story Lesson Plan
Stream Flow and Habitat Graphic
Minnesota Science Standards: 4.1.2.1.1, 5.1.1.1.4, 5.3.1.2.2, 5.4.2.1.1, 5.4.2.1.2, 6.1.3.1.1, 6.2.1.2.1, 7.1.3.4.1, 8.1.3.4.1, 8.3.1.2.2, 8.3.4.1.2,
Credit: Science Institute for Educators 2012-2013