Water Bowl Demo

Materials: -a large clear bowl filled with water

-paper cut outs of the continent,

-various multi-colored condiments, food colorings, or juices ( ex. orange

juice, oregano, soy sauce or cinnamon)

Objectives: -introduce the concept of the earth as an interconnected system

-observe how quickly pollution spreads throughout the water

Demonstration:

Stick paper cut-outs of the continents on the outside of a large bowl. Fill bowl with water to represent the oceans. Explain that 70% of the world's surface is covered by water and that water is necessary for all living things to live. Then show how North America "pollutes" the Atlantic and Pacific oceans with orange juice and thyme. Japan "pollutes" with cranberry juice and oregano, and countries in Europe with soy sauce and cinnamon. Point out how quickly the pollution spreads through the water. Emphasize that everyone on the earth has a responsibility to everyone else, including other species, for keeping the earth clean.

Possible questions for a post-demonstration discussion:

1. If these colored liquids in the bowl were really pollution in the ocean what would happen to the plants growing there? the fish? the animals and humans that eat the fish?

2. What kinds of pollutants are being dumped into rivers and oceans?

-chemicals used in factories, human wastes, pesticides from farms, balloons (which kill marine life when swallowed), six pack-rings ( which choke marine life and birds), plastic bags, tin cans, oil (from spills and drilling accidents).

3. Why do people dump pollutants into the water?

-it is possible that people don't realize the consequences of their actions

-it is cheaper to dump waste in the river or ocean than to try to reduce waste in a

less destructive way

4. What can we do to reduce or prevent this kind of pollution?

-don't litter on the beaches

-always cut the six-pack plastic soda holders before throwing them away

-never let your balloons go in the air

-write protest letters to politicians and companies

-support organizations like Greenpeace which work to prevent pollution

- increase awareness by telling your family and friends about this problem so they

can also help prevent it

-next time you go to the beach, bring a trash bag and spend some time picking up

trash

source: Collins, Rob and Merryl Hammond. One World One Earth. New Society

Publishers, Philadelphia. c-1993.