Create: Water Filtration

Lesson Summary
● The goal of the create phase is for students to create a system that filters particles out of water.
Students will test their systems, and then propose changes in order to create a more effective
system.

Objective/Goal
● Students will be able to design and create a system that filters particles out of water.

● Students will be able to explain how water filters help humans.

● Students will create a design using the steps of the engineering design process.

Standards
● 5-ESS3-2(MA). Test a simple system designed to filter particulates out of water and propose one
change to the design to improve it.
● 5-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information about ways communities reduce human impact on
the Earth’s resources and environment by changing an agricultural, industrial, or community
practice or process.
● 3-5-ETS1-1 Engineering Design. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that
includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
● 3-5-ETS1-2 Engineering Design. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem
based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
● 3-5-ETS1-3 Engineering Design. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and
failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
● W.5.4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
● SL.5.1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and
teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and
expressing their own clearly.

Activity Steps
1. Teacher begins by assessing prior knowledge by reviewing the KWL chart. Students do a quick
“Turn and Talk” to discuss how humans pollute water and how polluted water affects humans
around the world.

2. The teacher reviews the last lesson, where students brainstormed possible designs to create a
water filter using the available materials.
 3. The teacher introduces the water filter challenge. Students have learned about how water
pollution is a major issue around the world. Students are going to work in groups to create a
water filtration system that they will then “sell” to an area affected by water pollution. In order
to get a company to want to buy their filter, it needs to work quickly and produce clear water.
Today, the students will continue to brainstorm their ideas independently and with their team
members. They will be able to see and touch the materials, but will not build yet. Students will
be placed in mixed ability groups of 2-3 students. Groups may be all girl or all boy, depending on
the student population.

You and your group members are trying to being hired by the company CleanWater Co. In order
to be chosen for the position, you need to create a water filter that will help a struggling area of
the world access clean water. The filter needs to produce 1 cup of clean water. You will have
three chances to design and test your system. The group that creates the water filtration system
that works quickest and creates the clearest water will be hired!

4. The teacher will send the students off to complete Step 1 of the Part 2 packet. The teacher will
circulate the room to make sure that groups are allowing all members to share their ideas and
participate in the initial design. Students will have 10 minutes for this step.

5. When all students have completed Step 1, the teacher will preview Step 2, the create phase. The
teacher will tell students that they have 40 minutes to use the materials provided to create and
test a water filtration system. When they are ready, they will be able to pour 1 cup of provided
“polluted” water through their filter. They will use a stopwatch to time their filter. The clarity of
the water will be graded on a 3 point scale: 3- Dark (not touching it), 2- Murky (I’d swim in it),
and 1- Clear (I’d drink it).

6. The teacher sends off students to complete Step 2 in their groups. The teacher monitors group
progress and to ensure that all students are actively participating in the create phase. The
students film their trials on iPads so that they can remember how clear the water was and the
teachers can monitor the actual time of each trial.

7. After the 40 minutes of creating and trials, the teachers will gather students back at their seats.
They will review what went well and what students can improve on. The teacher will tell the
students that the winning team will be chosen after the scores are reviewed.

8. The teacher will then preview the Share Phase with the students. Students will be creating a
commercial to sell their best water filtration system to “CleanWater Co.” Students will be
combining their knowledge of water pollution and water filtration systems in this commercial.

Handouts, Materials
● “Water Filtration Challenge! Part 1: Brainstorm” activity
● “Water Filtration Challenge! Part 2: Create” activity
 ● Water Filter Materials:
o Cut 2 Liter plastic soda bottles
o Coffee filters
o Sand
o Gravel
o Larger rocks
o Activated charcoal
o Cotton balls
o Paper towels
o Plastic bands
o “Polluted” water
● Stop watches

● iPads

Estimated Time
● 1 hour