Activity
Build an Irrigation Model.
Social Studies:
Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) Outcomes and Experiences
SOC 2-08a: I can discuss the environmental impact of human activity and suggest ways in which we can live in a more environmentally-responsible way.
SOC 3-08a: I can identify the possible consequences of an environmental issue and make informed suggestions about ways to manage the impact
Numeracy:
MNU 2-11a: I can use my knowledge of the sizes of familiar objects or places to assist me when making an estimate of measure.
MNU 3-11a: I can solve practical problems by applying my knowledge of measure, choosing the appropriate units and degree of accuracy for the task
Technology:
TCH 2-09a: I can extend and enhance my design skills to solve problems and can construct models
TCH 3-09a: I can create solutions in 3D and 2D and can justify the construction/graphic methods and the design features.
Duration Materials 1 class period
Copy of A Window Into Outdoors pages 30 - 35
Aluminium foil/ plastic straws/ plastic tubing/ cotton string / Plastic bottles/ tub/ bucket
Pencils, coloured pencils, or pens.
Craft materials
Tray
Cotton wool balls/ sponge
Soil
Cup/tub
Activity Instructions
1 Introduction: Explain you are going to be talking about Horticulture. Ask them what they think Horticulture is and why it might be important. “Horticulture is the art and science of cultivating plants. what do plants need to grow and thrive?” Write the answers on the board: Light - photosynthesis, the capturing of light energy, converting carbon dioxide and water into sugars (food) and oxygen.
Water
Air - plants take in carbon dioxide. Nutrients - from the soil.
2.“So what do we do when there isn’t regular rainfall, or not enough rain?” Encourage pupils to contribute their thoughts.
3 “A way to tackle lack of water is to use an irrigation system, for example;
Drip Irrigation - This method delivers water slowly and directly to the plant’s root system, through a network of tubes. It conserves water, reduces weed growth (by not watering the space in between the plants)
Sprinkler Irrigation - Water is sprayed into the air and falls as droplets, mimicking natural rainfall. You can have small/ micro sprinklers for targeted areas or larger overhead systems for greenhouses. Surface Irrigation - This is one of the oldest methods. It uses small channels between the rows of plants to carry the water. This is very simple but less efficient than the other methods.
Subsurface Irrigation - Water is delivered below the surface through buried pies or tubes directly to the roots of the plants. This minimises evaporation and is very efficient.
Hand Watering - watering with hand held hoses or watering cans is common in gardens but not very practical for larger areas.
4.Activity: Build an Irrigation Model. Split the pupils into small teams.
5.Instructions: Give each group a tray and ask them to spread the soil out over it.
Explain that the cotton wool balls/sponges are your plants and ask them to spread them out in neat rows, leaving space between each plant. Explain the challenge is to move water from their water source (cup/tub) to water ALL their plants. Ask them to try the different equipment provided to figure out what works best.
Activity Instructions
8. Prompt the pupils with ideas of how to use the different materials:
Straws - “Can you use them to make a chain, make a bridge, what angle does it need to be at? Can you syphon the water?”
Aluminium Foil - “Try folding the foil to make a type of river or pipe to guide the water, think about the angle.”
Cotton String - “Can water travel along the string? Maybe try holding the water source higher than where you are trying to get the water to travel.”
9. Circulate and prompt pupils to think about:
“How can you make sure there is no water waste” “What happens if your irrigation tool is too flat or too steep”?
“Which tool works best, why do you think this is?”
10. Wrap-Up: Ask the pupils to demonstrate what they made to the rest of the class. What worked well, what didn’t, what would they change next time?
11. “Throughout this task I asked you how you would reduce water waste, why do you think minimising water waste is important, Possible answers:
Less than 1% of the earth’s total water is available fresh water, which we use for drinking, agriculture, industry and sustaining ecosystems.
Energy Conservation - Treating, pumping and heating water consumes a significant amount of energy.
Climate Change is altering global weather, leading to more frequent droughts.
As the population grows the demand for water also grows.
12. Recap: “Irrigation systems are vital tools in horticulture, enabling the cultivation of a wide range of plants within diverse environments.”