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6-8
Building Earth and Sandbag Dikes
Project type: Assignment
Related topic:
Red River Rising: Manitoba Floods
Red River Rising: Manitoba Floods
Subjects
Science
Summary
Students will build a working model of an earth and sandbag dike.
Duration
2 lessons
Purpose
To explore the science of dike-building, to build a working model
Materials
earth
small paper bags (such as lunchbags)
sand or soil
plastic sheeting
small weights
Before Exploring
Lead a class discussion about dams: the purpose of dams, how they are constructed, and how natural and artificial dams differ.
Outline the Opportunity
Explain to students that they will be constructing a working dike. Have students view Clip #8 on the topic Red River Rising: Manitoba Floods on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site, including the Did You Know? section.
In pairs, students will discuss the various examples of dike building by sandbags and by earth-moving machinery that they viewed on the site. Students will use the information from the site to construct a three-dimensional working model of an earth or sandbag dike. Students should include a written explanation of why their dike will hold back water.
Revisit and Reflect
Invite students to demonstrate their working models to the class. Students should be prepared to ask and answer questions. Encourage students to test and comment on their classmates’ models.
Extension
Have students calculate the number of sandbags it would take to construct a 2-m wall around a 10-m by 20-m building, keeping the base of the wall 3 m away from the building. The following Web site will be of assistance:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/gs/memo/dyke.html.
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