Activity Steps

1. Review what groundwater is and Groundwater Vocabulary terms.

2. Begin to construct your edible aquifer by filling a clear plastic cup 1/3 full with gummy bears, chocolate chips, or crushed ice (represents gravels and soils)

3. Add enough soda to just cover the candy/ice.

4. Add a layer of ice cream to serve as a "confining layer" over the water-filled aquifer. Discuss what a confining layer is/does.

5. Then add more "sand/gravel" on top of the "confining layer."

6. Colored sugars and sprinkles represent soils and should be sprinkled over the top to create the porous top layer (top soil).

7. Now add the food coloring to the soda. The food coloring represents contamination. Watch what happens when it is poured on the top of the "aquifer." Point out that the same thing happens when contaminants are spilled on the earth's surface.

8. Using a drinking straw, drill a well into the center of your aquifer.

9. Slowly begin to pump the well by sucking on the straw. Watch the decline in the water table.

10. Notice how the contaminants can get sucked into the well area and end up in the groundwater by leaking through the confining layer.

11. Now recharge your aquifer by adding more soda which represents a rain shower.

12. Review what you have learned as you enjoy eating your edible aquifer.

Activity Source

Edible Earth Parfaits was adapted from "Making A Bigger Splash," co-published by The Groundwater Foundation and the US EPA, Region VII.