Water Filtration System: Design and build a water filtration system to clean lake water.
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Water Filtration System: Design and build a water filtration system to clean lake water.

Grade 2Science3 days
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5.0 (1 rating)
Second-grade students design and build a water filtration system to purify lake water, exploring the importance of clean water and different filtration methods. They begin by observing contaminated water samples and experimenting with various filter materials to understand their effectiveness. Students then design their own filtration systems, creating blueprints and justifying their material choices, with a final assessment based on their understanding of clean water, filter material effectiveness, and system design.
Water FiltrationClean WaterFiltration System DesignFilter MaterialsWater QualityEnvironmental ScienceContaminants
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a water filtration system to make lake water clean and safe for the environment?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is clean water and why is it important?
  • Where does water come from?
  • What are the different things that can make water dirty?
  • How do different materials filter out different things?
  • How can we test if water is clean?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to design a water filtration system.
  • Students will be able to construct a water filtration system.
  • Students will be able to test the water quality produced by a water filtration system.
  • Students will be able to explain the importance of clean water.
  • Students will be able to identify sources of water.
  • Students will be able to describe different contaminants that can pollute water.
  • Students will be able to compare the effectiveness of different filter materials.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Mystery Lake Samples

Students receive jars of murky 'lake water' with various mystery contaminants (food coloring, glitter, small debris). They must observe, record, and hypothesize what's polluting the water, sparking curiosity about the need for filtration.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Clean Water Explorers: What's Important?

Students investigate the characteristics of clean water and why it's vital for living things and the environment.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Discuss what 'clean' means to you. Where do you use clean water?
2. Read a short story or watch a video about why animals and plants need clean water.
3. Brainstorm a list of reasons why clean water is important for people, animals, and plants.
4. Draw a picture of a time you used clean water.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA poster illustrating the importance of clean water for different living things, with captions explaining each reason.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goals: Students will be able to explain the importance of clean water.
Activity 2

Filter Material Scientists: Experiment Time

Students test various materials to see how well they filter out different contaminants from water, noting which materials are most effective.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Gather a variety of filter materials (sand, cotton balls, gravel, coffee filters).
2. Set up small containers with holes in the bottom to act as mini-filters.
3. Pour the 'lake water' through each filter material, one at a time, into a clean container.
4. Observe and record how the water looks after passing through each filter.
5. Compare the water from each filter and decide which material cleaned the water the best.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA chart comparing the effectiveness of different filter materials, including written observations and a ranking from best to worst.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goals: Students will be able to compare the effectiveness of different filter materials. Students will be able to describe different contaminants that can pollute water.
Activity 3

Water Filter Designers: Blueprint Bonanza

Students design their own water filtration system, incorporating what they've learned about clean water and filter materials.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Think about the best filter materials from the experiment.
2. Draw a diagram of your water filtration system, showing the layers of filter materials.
3. Label each layer of your filter and explain why you chose that material.
4. Write a sentence explaining how your filter will make the water clean.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed blueprint of their water filtration system, labeled with materials and explanations.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses learning goals: Students will be able to design a water filtration system.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Water Filtration Portfolio Rubric - Grade 2

Category 1

Understanding the Importance of Clean Water

This category assesses students' ability to explain why clean water is important for living things and the environment.
Criterion 1

Reasons for Clean Water

Explains the importance of clean water for people, animals, and plants.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides multiple, detailed reasons why clean water is essential for people, animals, and plants, showing a deep understanding of interconnectedness.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides clear reasons why clean water is important for people, animals, and plants.

Developing
2 Points

Provides some reasons why clean water is important, but explanations may be incomplete or unclear.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to explain why clean water is important, with limited or inaccurate reasons.

Criterion 2

Visual Representation

The poster effectively illustrates the importance of clean water.

Exemplary
4 Points

Poster is visually appealing, highly detailed, and clearly communicates the importance of clean water with informative captions.

Proficient
3 Points

Poster is clear, well-organized, and illustrates the importance of clean water with appropriate captions.

Developing
2 Points

Poster is somewhat relevant but may lack detail or clear captions.

Beginning
1 Points

Poster is incomplete, unclear, or does not effectively illustrate the importance of clean water.

Category 2

Filter Material Effectiveness

This category assesses students' ability to compare the effectiveness of different filter materials in removing contaminants from water.
Criterion 1

Observation and Recording

Accuracy and detail in observing and recording the results of using different filter materials.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides detailed and accurate observations of the water after filtration with each material, noting specific changes in clarity, color, and visible particles.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides clear and accurate observations of the water after filtration with each material.

Developing
2 Points

Provides some observations, but they may lack detail or accuracy.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to make or record observations about the water after filtration.

Criterion 2

Comparison and Ranking

Effectiveness in comparing the filter materials and ranking them from best to worst.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a clear, logical ranking of filter materials with well-supported explanations based on observed evidence.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a ranking of filter materials with reasonable explanations.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a ranking, but explanations may be weak or missing.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to compare and rank the filter materials.

Category 3

Water Filtration System Design

This category assesses students' ability to design a water filtration system based on their learning.
Criterion 1

Blueprint Detail and Clarity

The clarity and detail of the water filtration system blueprint.

Exemplary
4 Points

Blueprint is highly detailed, clearly labeled, and easy to understand, demonstrating a thorough understanding of filtration principles.

Proficient
3 Points

Blueprint is detailed, labeled, and easy to understand.

Developing
2 Points

Blueprint is somewhat detailed but may lack clear labels or explanations.

Beginning
1 Points

Blueprint is incomplete, unclear, or lacks essential details.

Criterion 2

Justification of Material Choices

Explains the reasoning behind the choice of filter materials.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a comprehensive and scientifically sound explanation for each material choice, linking it to specific contaminants and filtration processes.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a clear explanation for each material choice.

Developing
2 Points

Provides some explanation for material choices, but reasoning may be unclear or incomplete.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to explain the reasoning behind material choices.

Criterion 3

Filter Function Explanation

Effectiveness of the sentence explaining how the filter will make the water clean.

Exemplary
4 Points

Sentence is clear, concise, and accurately explains how the filter will remove contaminants to make the water clean and safe.

Proficient
3 Points

Sentence clearly explains how the filter will make the water clean.

Developing
2 Points

Sentence attempts to explain how the filter works, but the explanation may be vague or incomplete.

Beginning
1 Points

Sentence is unclear or does not explain how the filter will make the water clean.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

What was the most surprising thing you learned about water filtration?

Text
Required
Question 2

Which filter material worked best for you?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Sand
Cotton balls
Gravel
Coffee filters
Other
Question 3

What part of the water filtration project did you enjoy the most?

Text
Required