Earth Week: Water Mill

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We're working on some water science for Earth Week. This experiment is a mini version of a mill and it worked incredibly easily with a few simple staples from around the house; a cork, piece of copper wire, string and a plastic bottle.

Prepare the mill by scoring the cork lengthwise in four quarters.

Cut the top of a large pop bottle off so you have a cylinder with a bottom. Use the top to cut four blades that slide into the cork. Make sure the four blade curves bend the same way, as these will 'catch' the water you pour, to propel the blades.

Slide the wire through the center of the cork, lengthwise.

Notch to 'v''s on either side of the bottle where the wire will rest.

Tie a string and small weight to one side of the wire.

Test the strength of the mill by pouring water on the curved blades to see if it will lift the weight. Continue to add new weights of varying sizes to test the strength of your mill.

EXPAND WITH LITERATURE ON WATER

WET. Such a sweet, simple, silly book about ways to get wet-both good and bad.

THE CROCODILE WHO DIDN'T LIKE WATER. Brothers and sisters happily swim their hearts out while little crocodile struggles to jump in.

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NIBI'S WATER SONG. Touches gently on the topic of equality and access to safe water.

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WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS. Caledcott winning picture book discussing the 'black snake prophecy' of the oil pipelines in native communities.