Second Graders Put On Their Engineering Caps

JFK second graders saw firsthand the impact of erosion without ever leaving their classrooms.

 

Patrick Harmon, a science educator from PNW BOCES, rolled his cart into classrooms and conducted hands-on experiments with sand and water to show how erosion shapes landscapes.

 

“What is erosion?” asked Harmon. “How does erosion work? Is erosion fast or slow? Why do you think erosion can be a problem?” 

 

As students had already had a pre-lesson with teacher Karen Merille, fifteen hands shot up.

 

“It’s when wind, sand, heat and water cause rocks to break down,” said Jacob Pfeiffer.

 

The group looked at pictures and discussed the history of the Grand Canyon, watched a video of how floods and water pressure can damage roads, and talked about ideas to prevent erosion.

 

“Now let’s put on our engineering caps,” said Harmon. “What do engineers do? How can engineers solve problems like flooding or mudslides?”

 

Students were broken into groups and asked to draw a safety strategy design using trees, barriers and plastic to slow down erosion for a made-up city near mountains. Working together, students plotted and planned. Then the class circled around the experimentation table.

 

A plastic tub with sand sloped at an angle was arranged according to each group’s plan: sand was molded into mountains, a strip of “grass” or green synthetic turf was placed near the city, 

“trees” in the form of bristle builder blocks were strategically placed, and a plastic sheath was laid down. Harmon then poured water slowly and then quickly down the slope. 

 

“Wow, with no trees or grass, the mud just slides down into the city,” said Jack Kuklevsky. “Is that because the grass has roots?”

 

“With just rocks, the damage is the worst, “said Layla Moore.

 

“If I ever decide to build a city,” said Harmon, “I’m definitely coming to your class for ideas on how to slow down erosion.”

The take away: trees and grass are not just plants — they are natural protectors.
When forests are cut down, the land becomes more vulnerable to floods and landslides. Even a simple classroom experiment shows how important vegetation is for keeping our planet safe.

The program, run through PNW BOCES’ Center for Environmental Education, is meant to inspire respect for Earth's natural systems and help students understand the connection between their choices and the environment.