Streams in the Sand

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Learning Objectives:

1. Observe and record the erosion of soil by water in a local area.
2. Describe the effects of erosion.

Teacher Background:

In this lesson, students will explore how erosion can change the land. Erosion is the gradual change or destruction of land caused by water, wind, ice, and the pull of gravity. Erosion is a natural process, but can be worsened by human activities that remove soil stabilizing elements, such as plant roots. By exposing the soil, humans make it easier for erosion to occur. Erosion can have negative effects on aquatic environments, because it introduces a large number of soil particles into bodies of water, making the water cloudy, or turbid. Increasing the turbidity of waterways can make it difficult for fish and other aquatic life forms to survive. In this lesson, students will explore erosion of sand by water; in this case, the water causes the sand to erode very quickly. You may also wish to give students other examples of forces that cause erosion, like high winds and the movement of soil materials down a slope.

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