1. Make small, gentle waves with your hand. 2. Look for sand grains that move from the small waves. 3. Make larger waves by raising and lowering the high end of the pan. 4. Notice the area where sand moves from the larger waves. 5. Change the shape of the beach and repeat steps 1 through 4.
Discussion questions: - What is the difference in effect between big waves and small waves? - Does the shape of the beach change the erosion patterns? Why, or why not? - What if the water were deeper? - What if you used soil or clay instead of sand?
Wind Station 1. Make sure the pile of sand on the bottom of the tray is flat.
2. Take turns blowing the sand toward the back of the box from about three inches away till the total number of blows reaches 50. 3. Observe the effect of wind erosion, then record observations in your erosion journal. 4. Place a rock on the sand, and repeat steps 1 through 3. 5. Clean up the center so it is ready for the next group.
Discussion questions:
- How does the erosion change if you blow softly or hard? - What happens when you place the rock on the sand? - What if you had a larger straw?