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Description

Make a water wheel, miniature irrigation system, or a water transport system

Demonstrate capillary action

Suitable for Virtual Guiding

Resources

At least three cups/glasses/mugs per person/group
Jug of water
Paper towels/other absorbent paper/wool/cotton string

If making water wheel or another miniature irrigation system then other equipment - refer to attachments.

Instructions

Walking Water Experiment
Place the three glasses side by side.
Fold up paper towel so it is a few cm wide.
Place paper towel with one end in one glass and the other end in the glass next to it.
Repeat until all glasses are connected to the others by paper towels.
Our water into the middle glass.
Observe what happens over time

Set this up early in your meeting time. Come back later to see what has happened.
Discuss capillary action and how this works

You can use wool or cotton string instead of paper towels - the experiment will take a lot longer though.

Make a water wheel
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Water-Wheel
https://igamemom.com/off-screen-with-app-water-wheels/ (this version uses egg cartons instead of plastic spoons and polystyrene)

Other miniature irrigation systems
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/build-an-irrigation-system/

Tags

• Irrigation
• Science
• STEM
• Water
• Wheel

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