In this lab, students will investigate sediment sorting and deposition. Students will combine gravel, sand, clay and potting soil in a 2L bottle, add water and shake contents. The top of the bottle will be cut off and the water will be allowed to evaporate. Once the sediments have settled and dried, students will cut the bottle in half and observe the cross section. Students will make observations with a small group and record observations in a scientific journal or log.

 Water is the great architect of Earth and a defining factor for the location and movement of life on this planet. Without water, our world would look very different; without the watersheds which capture, coalesce, move, and recycle water throughout a natural system, human and wildlife habitats would not be the same. Freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes are some of the most heavily utilized and pressured natural systems on the planet; these critical habitats have taken the brunt of negative human actions for years. Now, more than ever, we must learn to safeguard our watersheds for the protection of all life that depends on them.For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM UNTAMED websites.