How to Teach Your Kids Deposition Science in the Back Yard

Kids are so curious and are happy to learn new things, now you can teach them deposition science with the help of the virtual world. Teaching and  learning science, especially the natural phenomenon can be a lot of fun.

Primarily these concepts can be learned practically, and through observation. In fact, things learned this way stay with us for a lifetime. You might be thinking you’re not a science whiz, but don’t worry, we’re going to show you easy ways to do it. 

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In this guide, we’re going to use simple methods to teach your children deposition science. And this isn’t just a pencil and paper matter, you can get tactile and do all of it in the comfort of your backyard. 

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What Is Deposition Science?

Deposition refers to the natural and geographical process through which sediments (soil, rock particles, pebbles, etc.) get deposited on a surface. The phenomenon is generally preceded by weathering and erosion. 

The study of deposition, its nature, causes, patterns, and consequences is known as deposition science. 

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How To Teach Deposition Science 

The best way to teach deposition science to the kids is through an easy make-shift model of deposition. This model can be created in your backyard and includes a source of water and a landscape to show erosion and deposition. 

Steps To Teach Deposition Science In The Backyard 

Step 1: Do the Groundwork

Teaching your kids deposition science in the backyard requires some groundwork before you can put in place the actual system. First of all, identify a suitable spot in your backyard where you can build the system, this should be a flat surface. 

It can either be hard surface or grassy, depending on what’s available to you in the backyard. Also, collect two big containers – one for the landscape on which you will show the disposition effect and a second one to serve as the water body that you will create in the next step. 

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Step 2: Create an in-house Water Body

One of the key mediums of deposition is through flowing water. Therefore, to teach deposition through water to your kids, you can set up a small in-house water body of your own. Don’t worry, it can be as simple as using a large container or a water tank with a controllable opening. 

This vessel should be placed at an above-ground position, acting as a source of smooth flow of water. 

Tip: If you do not have a container to serve as the source of water for your water body, you can consider manually pouring water when showing the deposition effect. 

Step 3: Collect the Materials

Next, you need to collect and arrange the materials that are to be used as sediments for your deposition model. This should include – dry sand, moist soil, small pebbles, and also some plastic pieces and other impurities. 

Collect good amounts of these materials so that you can display the deposition effect clearly and satisfactorily to your kids.

Step 4: Get the Technology Right

This is the most critical step as it tells you how to arrange the entire model together. This involves creating the landscape first and using the materials that you collected in the previous step. 

In a large container, put these materials in different segments, creating a sloping surface in the middle through which the water can flow. Keep one end of the container empty, where the eroded solid and sediments will get deposited, therefore showing the deposition effect. 

Also, create a small opening on the empty end of the landscape model from where the water can flow, preventing it from accumulating. Place the first container at a higher altitude than the second container with its nozzle towards the end of the other container.

Step 5: Make it work! 

Your deposition science model model should be ready by now, and now it’s time to put it to work. Open up the water nozzle placed at one end of the model, to start a stream of water through it. 

As the water flows through its path and looks like a fast-flowing river, you will observe that it sweeps away with it amounts of sediments, including soil and pebbles, and deposits them at the other end of the model, which was empty. This is what deposition science is! 

 

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Takeaway

Deposition science can be taught in a simple and subtle way by making use of this model in your backyard. In fact, the very process of putting together this model will be a lot of fun. We bet the kids will remember learning this from you for the rest of their lives!