Sand Tank Groundwater Flow Model

The groundwater model is a plexiglass tank filled with sand, gravel, and clay to represent a slice of the earth. The model simulates how water and contaminants move through different aquifers allowing people to "see" groundwater.

"Teaching students -- and their parents -- to protect groundwater in their own communities can lead to real improvements in local groundwater quality," says David Lindorff, who coordinates the wellhead protection program for the Department of Natural Resources.

The groundwater model can be used to teach youth and adults many groundwater concepts, such as:

	groundwater movement,
	the effects of different geologic materials and soils on groundwater movement
	aquifer types and water table levels,
	recharge and discharge areas,
	groundwater contamination from various sources,
	the effects of pumping wells, and
	potential land use activities that may impact groundwater quality and/or quantity

"Groundwater concepts aren’t just for science anymore -- they can be incorporated into various subject areas including math, social studies, language arts, home economics and art," Lindorff says.