Week 7: 3D Watershed Models and Cities

Today the teens refined the activities they developed during Week 5. The 3D watershed model group learned how to make 3D models of hills and valleys using topographic maps.

Teens constructing simple 3D models

They traced the outline of topographic features with the same elevation onto foam sheets. They cut out each slice and stacked them all together to form a hill or a valley. They made lots of creative features!

Teen 3D topography models.

Once the teens learned how to make the simple models they transitioned to making a larger model of the Four Mile watershed. Using a topographic map they traced the outline of the area in our watershed at 800 feet above sea level onto large foam board and cut out a slice of the watershed. They did the same thing for 900 feet and 1,000 feet. We still have to complete the 1,100 and 1,200 feet slices before we can stack them all together.

Starting the large 3D model of the Four Mile watershed.

The other group worked on their sustainable city activity. They pulled together materials to start building their city. A piece of canvas will serve as the base to build their city on top of. They will draw roadways on the canvas and place cardboard buildings to represent the city. The team came up with some materials to represent sustainable stormwater management practices such as green roofs, rain gardens, and rain barrels. Painted Huggie containers will represent rain barrels and moss will be used to represent green roofs. 

Moss might represent green roofs and Huggies could be rain barrels.