Water Scientists

In the fifth-grade science unit, The Earth System, students investigate an engaging problem on the fictional Ferris Island. The cities of East Ferris and West Ferris, located on opposite sides of a mountain, face contrasting water supply issues: East Ferris experiences a water shortage, while West Ferris does not. Through hands-on activities, students explored the formation of condensation, understanding when and how it occurs and the factors that influence it. They also studied the evaporation process, learning that only water evaporates while substances like food coloring and salt remain behind. Students created a mini water cycle in a jar to deepen their understanding of critical processes—accumulation, evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. This foundational knowledge will be used in an engineering design project where they devise solutions for East Ferris's water shortage, enhancing their problem-solving skills and practical application of scientific concepts. You can click on this link to get a glimpse into the classroom.