This project involves designing and building a simple, effective water filter using easily accessible materials. The goal is to create a cost-effective solution for purifying water at home. The filter typically uses a multi-layered approach, incorporating materials such as activated charcoal, sand, gravel, and coffee filters to remove impurities, sediments, and contaminants from the water. By constructing this filter, participants will gain hands-on experience in water purification methods and understand the principles of filtration, including adsorption, sedimentation, and biological filtration. This project not only demonstrates basic water treatment techniques but also emphasizes the importance of clean water for health and sustainability.
Begin with a discussion on the importance of clean water, how contaminants affect water quality, and the global challenges related to access to safe drinking water. Research: Students research different methods of water filtration (e.g., sand, gravel, activated charcoal, and UV light) and their effectiveness in removing various contaminants. Design: Students design a prototype of a water filtration system. They select materials based on their research and plan how each component will contribute to the filtration process. Construction: Using the materials (e.g., plastic bottles, sand, gravel, charcoal, cotton, and cheesecloth), students build their water filtration system. Testing: Students test their filtration systems using different types of “contaminated” water, such as muddy water or water with dissolved solids. They observe and record how well the filter cleans the water, noting any changes in clarity, smell, or taste. Analysis and Improvement: After testing, students analyze the results and discuss the effectiveness of their designs. They then make modifications to improve the filtration system's performance. Presentation: Students present their designs, the testing process, and the results, discussing what they learned about water filtration and clean water access.
Students present their designs, the testing process, and the results, discussing what they learned about water filtration and clean water access.