DIY Stream Table: Hands-On Earth Science for Your Classroom!

Summary

This video showcases a DIY stream table built for an Earth and space science class, designed to simulate river systems affordably and effectively. The table, constructed with readily available materials and adjustable features, allows students to explore river formation, erosion, meanders, oxbow lakes, delta formation, and the effects of base-level changes and tectonic uplift. It also demonstrates historical and geological phenomena such as the Johnstown Flood, ice age valley formation, and waterfall retreat. Engaging and hands-on, the stream table provides an interactive way for students to observe how rivers evolve over time, making complex geologic processes tangible and memorable.

Takeaways

• 😀 The stream table was built as an affordable educational tool for modeling the evolution of rivers and streams in Earth and space science classes.
• 😀 The project was inspired by expensive commercial stream tables, which were out of budget, prompting a DIY approach using easily accessible materials.
• 😀 The table features five adjustable valves to control flow volume and river position, enabling a variety of experiments and demonstrations.
• 😀 A 6-ton bottle jack is used to raise the table for modeling stream flow at higher elevations and simulating river rejuvenation due to tectonic uplift.
• 😀 The table is equipped with drainage systems including main drains and overflow pipes, allowing for controlled flooding and demonstrating processes like delta formation.
• 😀 A custom filter system was developed to keep sand out of the pump, using a mesh strainer and plastic container for efficient sand separation.
• 😀 The table is designed to hold up to 24 gallons of water when fully saturated, creating a realistic environment for modeling erosion and sediment transport.
• 😀 Students engage in hands-on activities like creating meanders, observing erosion, and illustrating features such as point bars, cut banks, and oxbow lakes.
• 😀 The table allows for demonstrations of significant geologic processes, such as the effects of sea-level drop or tectonic uplift on river landscapes.
• 😀 Real-world events like the Johnstown Flood and the formation of Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon are used to connect geological principles with history, enhancing student understanding.

Q & A

What was the main reason the creator built a custom stream table instead of purchasing a pre-made one?

The creator wanted a more engaging and customizable tool for teaching Earth and space science. Pre-made tables were out of budget, and the available options didn't capture students' attention effectively. The goal was to create something hands-on and larger that could better demonstrate real-world stream systems.

What key features were included in the custom-built stream table?

The stream table includes adjustable valves for controlling flow volume and river position, a submersible fountain pump, vinyl tubing, and a 6-ton bottle jack to raise the table for simulating stream flow at different elevations. The table also has multiple drain pipes and overflow systems, and it features a clean-out hose for easy maintenance.

How does the bottle jack contribute to the functionality of the stream table?

The bottle jack raises the table by about 8 inches, allowing the creator to simulate different elevations in a river system. This feature helps model stream rejuvenation due to tectonic uplift, and it also makes draining the water easier during cleanup.

What purpose do the drain pipes and overflow systems serve in the stream table?

The drain pipes and overflow systems prevent water from overflowing the table. One set of pipes can be plugged to simulate large bodies of water like a bay or ocean, which is useful for demonstrating how deltas form. The second set serves as an emergency spillway.

How does the creator simulate the effects of base level changes on rivers using the stream table?

The creator removes the first set of drain plugs, causing the river's base level to drop. This mimics events like the last ice age when sea levels were lower, allowing the creator to demonstrate how rivers carve deep valleys, such as the Susquehanna River shaping the Chesapeake Bay.

What geological processes are modeled by raising the river profile with the bottle jack?

Raising the river profile with the bottle jack simulates the effects of erosional isostatic rebound and tectonic uplift. This models how the Susquehanna River was shaped by these processes, which helped form the landscape of Pennsylvania.

Can the stream table simulate events other than river erosion?

Yes, the stream table can also model niche geological events like spillover erosion when a large lake overflows, or the formation of canyons from ice dam breaks. One example discussed was how Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon was formed by such an event during the last ice age.

What is headward erosion, and how does the stream table allow for its observation?

Headward erosion is the process by which waterfalls retreat upstream over time. The stream table allows students to observe this phenomenon and how it leads to features like Niagara Falls, which migrates at about 1 foot per year.

How does the stream table help connect the lesson to Pennsylvania history?

The stream table is used to model the failure of the South Fork Dam, which caused the Johnstown Flood in 1889. The creator explains how the dam's design flaws, including blocked spillways, contributed to the disaster, making the lesson more relevant to Pennsylvania's history.

What impact has the stream table had on the creator's teaching?

The stream table has become one of the creator's favorite teaching tools and a conversation starter in the classroom. It has been especially effective in engaging students, and it's one of the first things they ask about when entering the classroom for the first time.