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Porosity and permeability affect how much groundwater is in a given area, the ability of this water to move beneath the surface, and even the extent to which some environmental issues may impact the area. With this kit students examine 3 different substrates, determine the porosity of each, find the volume of water each substrate can hold, compare the permeability of the different substrates, then determine how each may affect the ability of water to move beneath the surface.

While sources of fresh water are usually associated with visible bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams, the majority of fresh water on Earth is actually underground, collectively referred to as groundwater. Like fresh water found on the surface, groundwater can flow beneath the surface of the planet. Porosity and permeability are 2 factors that affect how much groundwater may be found in a given area and the ability of this water to move beneath the surface. Porosity and permeability also can affect the extent that certain environmental issues, such as water pollution, impact different areas. In this activity, students examine 3 different substrates and determine the porosity of each. After finding the volume of water each substrate can hold, students then compare the permeability of the different substrates and determine how each may affect the ability of water to move beneath the surface. Kit contains enough materials for 15 groups.