Activity Overview
Disappearing Wetlands: Investigate how particles settle by measuring the amount of light passing through the water as particles settle. Make connections to the process by which sediment settles out of the Mississippi River to form coastal wetlands.
Before the Activity
See the attached teacher document (pdf file) for notes and guidelines for this activity.
Print and copy the attached activity document and research article (pdf files) for your class.
Refer to Appendix A Using Datamate for instructions as needed.
During the Activity
Students will:
Perform an experiment to simulate sediment deposition in still water
Examine the settling of sediment from two different types of soil; sandy soil and potting soil
Investigate how sediment particles settle
Measure the amount of light passing through the water as particles settle using a Light Sensor
Make connections between the sediment settling in the experiment and the process by which sediment settles out of the Mississippi River to form coastal wetlands
Directions
Distribute the actviity document and research article to your class
Read and discuss the research article
Follow the activity procedures
After the Activity
Students complete the data analysis section of the activity.
Discuss the results of the data analysis with your students.