Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Roo-Rats Coyote-Kids Ravens
NPS arrowhead
Teachers | Glossary | Home 

Lesson Plans, Curriculum, and Activities


Water


Habitats


Wildlife


Plants


Geology


Cultures

 
Water

The science of hydrology deals with properties, distribution, and circulation of water on the surface of the land, in the soil and underlying rocks, and in the atmosphere. Certainly, water is one of the most important natural resources in the San Luis Valley. It is vital to every living thing; nothing can survive without it...(continue)

    Lesson Plans
  • An Ocean in Colorado? - Students will understand the globally rare phenomenon of surge flow, exhibited in Medano Creek. Students will conduct an experiment by measuring, recording, and graphing data about stream flow. Students will compare the waves of an ocean on the beach to the surges of water in Medano Creek. They will also use measuring skills to compare the pulses of water.
  • Flowing Waters - Students will learn to calculate stream flow and creatively seek ways to refine and improve a scientific measurement process.
  • Castles in the Sand - Students will learn about the cohesive force of water tension and the adhesive force of capillary action.
  • Sand Filters - Students will see the importance of sand in water filtration and understand how aquifers are recharged.

 

Glossary

 

alkaline
antidunes
aquifer
bore
braided stream
capillary action
channel
confined aquifer
drainage
erode
hydrology
precipitation
reach
sediment
surge
velocity
surface tension
 

 

Links

Great Sand Dunes Hydrology

 
     
     

and students made possible by Parks As Classroom