After learning about how beavers build dams and change the habitats of the rivers and streams where they live, Mr. Baumgarner’s second-grade students at Level Green Elementary School were tasked with building a dam of their own.
Working in teams, the students used the scientific method as a guide to help them engineer a working dam that would successfully slow the flow of water in their team's "stream." Students foraged in the woods outside the school to collect materials, and they were only permitted to use substances that a beaver would use, such as clay, sand, soil, river rocks, sticks, and leaves.
After constructing their dams, the students added water to see how effective the contraptions were at restricting water flow.
Students collect leaves, sticks, and rocks outside the school
Camryn Petrovich, Zoey Kindler, and Izzy Zeman prepare to add layers of clay material to build a base for their project
Students add water to test the effectiveness of their dam
Kade Faddish, Jacob Jones, and Evan Tomasic pose with their completed beaver dam
Zeplynn Wade, Grayson Capets, and Adelyn Lancz pose with their completed beaver dam
Roman Liscio, Chance Koepka, and Wyatt Zeminski
Sadie Van Dyke and Rylie Felton report the results of their beaver dam water flow experiment to the class