Edible Earth Parfaits

Background

This activity is a fun and easy way to understand the geology of an aquifer. You will build your own edible aquifer, learn about confining layers, contamination, recharge and water tables.

Key Topics: Geology, Groundwater, Wells
Subject Area: Science
Grade Levels: all ages
Duration: 25 – 30 minutes
Materials Needed:

  • Blue or red food colouring
  • Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Clear soda pop
  • Crushed ice
  • Variety of coloured cake decoration sprinkles and sugars
  • Drinking straws

  • Clear plastic cups

Objective:
To teach about the geologic formations in an aquifer, how pollution can get into groundwater and how pumping can cause a decline in the water table.

Activity Steps:

Review  What is groundwater? and Groundwater ABCs.

  1. Begin to construct your edible aquifer by filling a clear plastic cup 1/3 full with crushed ice (represents gravels and soils)
     
  2. Add enough soda to just cover the ice.
     
  3. Add a layer of ice cream to serve as a "confining layer" over the water-filled aquifer.
     
  4. Then add more crushed ice on top of the "confining layer." Colored sugars and sprinkles represent soils and should be sprinkled over the top to create the porous top layer.  
     
  5. Now add the food coloring to the soda. The food coloring represents contamination. Watch what happens when it is poured on the top of the "aquifer." Keep in mind that the same thing happens when contaminants are spilled on the earth's surface.
     
  6. Using your straw, drill a well into the center of your aquifer.  Slowly begin to pump the well by sucking on the straw. Watch the decline in the water table. Notice how the contaminants can get sucked into the well area and end up in the groundwater by leaking through the confining layer.
     
  7. Now recharge your aquifer by adding more soda which represents a rain shower. 
Review what you have learned as you enjoy eating your edible aquifer. Edible Earth Parfaits was adapted from Making A Bigger Splash, co-published by The Groundwater Foundation and the US EPA, Region VII. If you are interested in more activities based on environmental issues, see our online catalog or contact The Groundwater Foundation at 1-800-858-4844.

 

The Children's Water Education Council gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. With $100 million in annual funding from the province's charitable gaming initiatives, the Foundation provides grants to eligible charitable and not-for-profit organizations in the arts, culture, sports, recreation, environment and social services sectors.