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Floodplain Experiment

Activity

How Does Water Flow Over Different Landscapes?

Using sand, soil, and water, create a mini floodplain to show how water flows across the land. Shape the sand and soil into different patterns to mimic landforms, such as slopes or flat areas. Slowly pour water along these surfaces and observe how it moves. Notice where the water pools, where it flows quickly, and how the sand and soil shift. Experiment by adding more water or adjusting the landforms. What happens when the water overflows? What is the purpose of a floodplain ecosystem, and how does it help manage water flow in nature?

Science Seed

Palmer Elementary and the Lower Rio Grande Valley is in a flood plain. A floodplain is a flat area of land next to a river or stream that gets covered with water during heavy rain or flooding. As the water moves over the surface of your mini floodplain, observe how it spreads out and deposits soil, creating new layers of sediment that can build up over time. This process, called sedimentation, helps fertilize the land, allowing plants like grasses and trees to thrive. Floodplains also provide important habitats for animals like frogs, birds, and insects, which depend on the wet environment for food and shelter. Floodplains act as natural filters and help prevent soil erosion by slowing down fast-moving rain water.

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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).

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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.

This project was made possible by HEB.