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Photo of an evaporation dish containing colored water placed on the ground in the shade under a bush. Beside the dish is a sign that reads “Evaporation in Progress Please Do Not Disturb!)
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WaterViz: Additional Experiments

The first experiment is related to evaporation and the second to soil percolation.

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Environmental scientists completed the following experiments during in-person programming.

Evaporation Experiment

Materials

  • Evaporation Experiment (BRF *, PDF) 

Activities

  • Environmental scientists complete the following tasks:
    • Select an experimental variable to measure.
    • Formulate a hypothesis.
    • Measure water loss due to evaporation using accessible labeling and measurement tools, including a talking temperature sensor and talking scale. 
    • Analyze their experimental data.
    • Use Lego Braille Bricks to build a 3D model to display their results. 
    • Present their 3D models to the group.

Soil Percolation Experiment

Photo of the soil percolation experimental set-up with colored water filtering through a soil sample.
The soil percolation experimental set-up uses colored water filtering through a soil sample.

Materials

  • Soil Percolation Experiment (BRF *, PDF) 

Activities

  • Environmental scientists complete the following tasks:
    • Tactually evaluate textures and particle sizes of different soil samples (sand, silt, clay)
    • Predict the impact of soil texture/particle size on the movement of water through the soil.
    • Formulate a hypothesis about the impact of adding potting soil. (organic matter) to a soil sample of their choice.
    • Measure soil percolation time and volume of water retained in a soil sample and in a soil sample mixed with potting soil. 
    • Analyze experimental data.
    • Create a tactile graph using tactile graph paper and bump dots (or other accessible materials of their choice). 

* If you have difficulty downloading a BRF file, see these tips.

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