Following the RainBy Benjamin Guerrero

Purpose – Problem Statement How do different ground surfaces

interact with rainwater?

Research 1. What happens if it lands on pavement or on tilled acre

of soil in your backyard?If it lands on pavement it will erode, and if it lands on soil it will become groundwater. 2. Which collecting jar will have the most water and

which will have the least?Out of gravel, soil and dirt I think the collecting jar for gravel will have the most water because gravel is a rock and the water would pass through. The sands collecting jar would the least because it would absorb the water. 3.Which jar will fill the fastest and which jar will the

slowest.Gravel’s jar would fill the fastest because the water would slide passed it. Sand’s jar because there is sediments in sand and would slow down the water.

4.Where does all the rainwater goes once it lands on earth?

All the rainwater goes under ground, which becomes ground water. Then after it goes into streams. 5. If you suddenly ran out of water in your house,

which jar of water would you drink?I would drink the water from the soil jar because I think that the soil would clean the water. 6. What path will the water go in?For gravel and sand, the water will go in a straight path. For soil, the water would move all around. 7. Which ground cover would absorb the most food

coloring?I think gravel would absorb the most food coloring because the food coloring would stain the gravel. 8. Where does gravity pull the water to?It goes underground into streams.

Hypothesis If I put water into three troughs of

gravel, sand and soil, then I hypothesis that the collecting jar of soil would have the most clean water.

Procedures Materials Drill, with 1 inch diameter (2.5 cm) bit, or saw 3 or more solid troughs or long window boxes (plastic or

wood) 3 pieces of 1-inch-diameter (2.5 cm) pipe, 2 inches (5.1

cm) long Silicone caulk or other water-tight adhesive 3 or more of the following to fill the troughs halfway to

the top: gravel, sand and soil Use of steps, or a picnic table and cement blocks 3 clear, wide-mouthed 1-gallon (3.8L) jars or buckets Ruler Permanent Marker Water Food Coloring

Instructions1.Ask an adult to help you cut or drill a 1-inch (2.5 cm) hole through the center of ne end of each trough.2.Insert a section of pipe into each hole so that 1 inch (2.5 cm) or more extends from the outside of the trough. Seal each pipe in place with the caulk or other water –tight adhesive, and let set.3.Fill each trough with the same amount of the different chosen materials (gravel, sand, and soil) until level with the bottom of the pipe.4.Use a set of steps or a picnic table and cement blocks to elevate the solid ends of the troughs 8 inches (20.3 cm) above the pipe end of trough. The troughs should slope downward at the same angle.5.Draw a straight line from the bottom to the top of each jar, marking every ½ inch (1.3 cm). Place a jar on a lower step or picnic bench under each trough’s pipe.6.Slowly, pour 1 gallon (3.8 L) of colored water (add 5 drops of food coloring to each gallon (3.8 L) of water) into the same spot of each trough.7.Observe the amount and clarify of the water that collects in the jars at the bottom of the troughs.

VariablesTestable=the type of groundcover

Outcome=how much water goes into the collecting jar

Control= amount of water poured into the troughAmount of ground cover in the troughAmount of food coloring