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Erosion Simulator

Erosion Simulator

Erosion Simulator

Appropriate for Grades: 3-12

Learning Standards Covered: 3.ESS.3, 4.ESS.2, 4.ESS.3, 6.ESS.4, 6.ESS.5, High School: ENV.ER.4, PG.ER.4

Program Length: 45 minutes - 1 hour

Recommended Group Size: 50 students or less per presentation

Vocabulary: dirt, soil, glacier, weathering, erosion, deposition, river delts, Dust Bowl, impervious surface, drought, pollution, vegetation, root system

Learning Objectives

  • Learn about the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition
  • Recognize when erosion occurs in a simulation
  • Make inferences on how to prevent erosion based on evidence from erosion simulation

Program Description

Through a PowerPoint presentation, students are introduced (or reminded) of the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition. Students learn about the Dust Bowl and its causes as well as some of the best management practices put in place to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future. Students then make predictions and observe a simulation to see what type of ground cover is the best at preventing erosion.