Storm Shield Student Packet
GSE S5E1 Civil & Environmental Engineering Lab
Storm Shield: Runoff & Erosion Defense
45-Minute Design Sprint
Destructive Processes & Tech
Team Engineers: ____________________________
Team Name: __________________
Date: ____________
PBL Challenge Scenario & Destructive Threat
Severe rainstorms in Georgia trigger rapid water runoff across sloped construction and farmland. Rushing stormwater causes destructive erosion, carving gullies into Georgia red clay and washing loose sediment plus surface fertilizers (contaminants) directly into downstream Heron Creek. This sediment smothers fish habitats and pollutes municipal drinking water.
Mission: Prototype an engineered multi-barrier system inside your slope tray to limit soil erosion and block water contaminants before runoff reaches the collection reservoir.
Approved Bio-Engineered Technologies (Budget: $50 Max)
Select Up to 3 Barrier Types
Silt Fence Mesh $10
Cheesecloth / mesh to trap moving sediment while letting water filter.
Riprap Rock Armor $15
Gravel layer to break water velocity and prevent gully scour.
Terrace / Retaining $15
Craft sticks anchored horizontally to flatten slope energy.
Vegetative Wetland $20
Felt / sponge strips acting as roots to absorb water and absorb toxins.
1 Step 1: Ask & Brainstorm
What physical force causes erosion during a storm? How will your barrier slow water down? Record 1 primary strategy:
2 Step 2: Prototype Blueprint (Technical Drawing)
Label all barrier materials and slope slope direction
[UPHILL: Storm Rainmaker Zone] Total Budget Spent: $_____
[DOWNHILL: Clean Water Collection Basin / Heron Creek] Scale: 1 tray unit
Georgia Standards of Excellence Science S5E1 (Constructive & Destructive Processes) Page 1 of 2
Phase 3: Storm Simulation & Data Collection
GSE S5E1.b & S5E1.c
Standardized Storm Testing Protocol: Pour exactly 200 mL of water through the simulated rainmaker cup over 15 seconds onto the top of the slope. Soil contains model contaminant powder (colored drink mix/cocoa). Compare the unprotected baseline with your engineered prototype.
3 Storm Simulation Results Table
| Evaluation Metric | Trial 1: Unprotected Slope (Control) | Trial 2: Prototype Shield (Engineered) |
|---|
| Water Clarity / Turbidity | | |
| Scale: 1 (Very Muddy) to 5 (Crystal Clear) | | |
| Rating: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 | Rating: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 |
| Runoff Velocity (Speed)
Fast Torrent / Moderate / Gentle Trickle
| Speed: ________________ | Speed: ________________ |
| Volume of Eroded Soil (gullies)
Measured in basin (Spoons / cm depth)
| Sediment: _____________ | Sediment: _____________ |
| Contaminant Breakthrough
Did colored fertilizer reach reservoir?
| Full / Partial / None | Full / Partial / None |
4 Step 4: Analyze Failure Points & Quick Redesign
Where did water breach or wash over your barriers? Name one specific engineering modification to improve barrier strength or filtration:
5 Step 5: Scientific Argument (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning)
GSE S5E1.c Standard Assessment
CLAIM Which engineered technology (or combination) was most effective at limiting destructive erosion?
EVIDENCE Provide exact data from your simulation table (clarity score, soil volume, or velocity changes):
REASONING Explain the science: How does slowing water speed prevent destructive erosion and protect the ecosystem?
Storm Shield Engineering Design Challenge • Heron Creek Watershed Protection Page 2 of 2
Storm Shield Slides
Georgia Science GSE S5E1
45-Minute Engineering Challenge
Civil & Environmental Engineering Lab
STORM SHIELD: Runoff Defense
PBL Investigation: "How can we engineer solutions to protect local ecosystems and human health from severe storm erosion and contamination?"
Your Role
Environmental Engineers
Your Mission
Save Heron Creek Watershed
Time Budget
45 Minutes Rapid Sprint
Earth Science In Action
Destructive Processes & Storm Runoff
GSE S5E1.a & S5E1.b
1. Severe Rain
Torrential storms pound Georgia hillsides with powerful water energy.
Force: Kinetic Energy
2. Destructive Erosion
Rushing water carves deep gullies, stripping away Georgia red clay soil.
Process: Soil Transport
3. Deposition & Toxins
Sediment and farm fertilizers pollute Heron Creek and our town reservoir.
Threat: Ecosystem Collapse
Engineering Principle: We cannot stop the storm, but we can engineer technologies to slow water speed and trap contaminants!
Engineering Catalog & Budget
Choose Your Technologies (Max $50)
Pick Up to 3 Barrier Types
Silt Fence Mesh
$10
Porous mesh screen that stops sediment while letting clean water filter through.
Riprap Rock Armor
$15
Heavy gravel layer that breaks falling water energy and prevents gully formation.
Retaining Terrace
$15
Sturdy wooden barriers placed horizontally to flatten the slope and hold soil in place.
Vegetative Wetland
$20
Absorbent felt strips that mimic plant roots to soak up stormwater and trap contaminants.
Engineering Rule: You must sketch and label your blueprint before building!
Planning Time: 7 Mins
Testing Protocol
The 100-Year Storm Simulation
Standardized Testing
Trial 1: Control (Unprotected)
Pour 200 mL through rainmaker cup over 15 seconds onto bare hillside.
- Observe rapid gully erosion
- Measure murky runoff water clarity (1-5)
- Record contaminant breakthrough
Baseline Data Benchmark
Trial 2: Prototype Shield
Re-run the exact same 200 mL storm test with your engineered barriers installed.
Storm Shield Facilitator Guide
Teacher Guide Georgia Standards of Excellence
Storm Shield Facilitator Guide
Grade 5 Science
45-Minute Lesson Plan
Targeted Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE)
S5E1.b: Develop simple interactive models to collect data illustrating how changes in surface features are caused by constructive/destructive processes (erosion and weathering).
S5E1.c: Ask questions to obtain information on how technology is used to limit and/or predict the impact of constructive and destructive processes (e.g., retention ponds, sea walls, terracing).
Minute-by-Minute 45-Minute Instructional Pacing
0:00 - 0:05 (5m)
Hook & Georgia Threat Scenario: Project Slides 1-2. Connect severe rainstorms to Georgia red clay runoff, watershed contamination, and the role of environmental engineers in protecting ecosystems.
0:05 - 0:12 (7m)
Engineering Constraints & Blueprinting: Distribute Student Packets. Explain the $50 budget and technology catalog (Slide 3). Student pairs brainstorm and sketch their labeled blueprint before collecting supplies.
0:12 - 0:30 (18m)
Prototype Build & Storm Simulation: 8 min to build barriers in trays. 10 min to run Trial 1 (baseline control) and Trial 2 (engineered shield) using standardized 200 mL rainmaker cups. Teams record data in tables.
0:30 - 0:40 (10m)
Data Analysis & CER Argument Writing: Project Slide 5. Students evaluate water clarity, sediment volume, and write their evidence-based Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) paragraph connecting tech to erosion prevention.
0:40 - 0:45 (5m)
Whole-Class Synthesis & Cleanup: Rapid whip-around: Which barrier best trapped contaminants? How does this model real Georgia retention ponds and silt fences along highway construction?
Low-Cost Classroom Materials & Station Setup
Per Station Setup (Teams of 3-4)
- 1 Aluminum Pan / Tray: Propped on 1 textbook (approx. 10-15° slope angle).
- Soil Bed: 2 cups garden soil or sand packed at top half of tray.
- Model Contaminant: 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder or bright powdered drink mix sprinkled on soil surface.
- Catch Basin: Clear plastic cup at pan's drain end to capture runoff water.
Technology Store Items (Per Class)
- Silt Mesh: Cheesecloth or window screen cut into 2×6 inch strips ($10 store value).
- Riprap Armor: Aquarium gravel or pea gravel ($15 store value).
