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Modeling Water Flow

Activity

How Local Landscapes Prevent Flooding

Learn how water moves through flood-prone areas like Perez Elementary. Using a shallow tray or baking pan, build a simple landscape with sand, soil, and small rocks to mimic the local terrain. Slowly pour water over your model and watch where it flows fastest, where it pools, and which areas stay dry. Try adding “buildings” with small blocks or natural materials to see how they affect water flow and flooding.

Science Seed

Perez Elementary sits in an area prone to flash flooding because of Austin’s hilly landscape and heavy rainstorms. Water from heavy rains quickly runs into nearby Onion Creek, which has led to flooding in parts of the neighborhood. Hard soil and paved surfaces prevent water from soaking in, causing water levels to rise dangerously fast. By building and observing your model, you are practicing skills hydrologists and city planners use to predict floods, design drainage systems, and protect communities from flood damage.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore Perez Elementary School

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

Perez Elementary School is named in honor of Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. Perez, who gave his life in service to his country. Perez is a supportive learning community with a focus on service. At Perez, we believe effort creates ability and all students will learn at high standards if they are given clear expectations, taught using best practices adapted to their unique needs and provided extra time and resources as needed. Perez students have numerous opportunities to serve their school, community and environment. They receive powerful instruction in the core curriculum areas, as well as in technology, art, music, physical education, and health.

This project was made possible by The Powell Foundation.