Tabb High School (THS) earth science teacher, Richard Howell, built a stream table so that his students would better understand the processes of erosion, deposition, and the formation of sedimentary rocks. Students were immediately able to see that fine grained sediments settle out in the deep, still, water and coarse sediment in the faster flowing water. In this way, sedimentary rocks tell us about ancient environments. The table uses a common fountain pump to re-circulate water and a homemade filter to keep the system from becoming clogged. An adjustable drain allows students to see the effects of a changing sea level, just as on the real Earth. A local boat repair shop applied a coat of fiberglass for strength and waterproofing.
|