Awesome Aquifers

Awesome Aquifers is a Division B event for 2012, sponsored by the Groundwater Foundation.

Event Background
In 2005, Awesome Aquifer consisted of a setup time, a demonstration time, and a written test. Students could build their aquifer ahead of time and set it up during the setup time or build one on site during the setup time. The students then would demonstrate their project in front of judges. Scoring was based upon a predetermined rubric; a written test was used as a tiebreaker. In 2006, Awesome Aquifer was revised significantly. You are now required to build your model on site in 10 minutes. The presentation of your model counts toward the final 50% of your total score, the two tests make up the other 50%. Awesome Aquifers returned in 2007 but was taken out in the 2008 season. It returned once again in 2011. 2011 was like 2006, a 10 minute build time and a 10 minute presentation that counts toward 50% of your total score, the two tests make up the other 50%. The 2012 rules have not changed a lot, as competitors can bring 3.1L containers, and still have 10 minute set-up time.

Stations
The event this is made up of four 10-minute stations. Most event supervisors will have you rotate from one station to the next (i.e. 1-2-3-4 or 3-4-1-2 or 2-3-4-1, etc). The four stations are:


 * 1) Vocabulary test (questions involve terminology relating to hydrogeology)
 * 2) Resource test (utilize the provided charts, graphs, and maps to answer questions)
 * 3) Building station (here you will be provided with a list of about 4-10 objectives {see list below} to design your model around - this list is what the judges will be scoring your model on. Use your time at this station to build your model aquifer and write some brief notes to help your through your presentation at station 4)
 * 4) Present your aquifer to the judges (judges will base their scores on your ability to verbally define/explain each objective on the list as well as how well you manipulate your model to visually show the objective. In addition, judges might ask a surprise question or two which will make you think on your feet)

Competitors are allowed to bring pencils and model building materials to the event. Outside books, notes, references, etc. are not allowed. The event supervisor will provide the tests, score sheets, and objectives lists.

Scoring
Vocabulary test = 25%, Resource test = 25%, Presentation of model = 50%.

Score Sheet

The Test
Awesome Aquifer is an earth science event based off ground water; because of this, it is a larger event. It takes a lot of time to learn the material and then to put it into a presentation. To start, here is the material most likely to be included on the test.

Hydrologic Cycle
For more information on the Hydrologic Cycle, please see the Hydrologic Cycle main page.

Aquifers
As stated in the previous section, aquifers are underground geological structures that can store and release water. There are two main types of aquifers with pretty simple names. Confined Aquifers are aquifers that are confined between two impermeable layers (layers that do not allow water to pass through) and Unconfined Aquifers which allow water to seep/flow freely through them.



Groundwater Flow
Groundwater is moving, albeit at a very slow rate. Calculations involving the movement of groundwater are a very common concept in Station 2 tests.

Vocabulary
The test will often include sections asking for definitions and usage of vocabulary. For definitions of vocab terms that are often used in this event, please see the Glossary at the bottom of this page.

The Model
The next major part of this event is the building and presentation of the model aquifer to the judges.

Example Objectives
This is a list of some possible objectives participants may be asked to demonstrate, and some suggestions on how to manipulate the model to show each one:
 * Recharge from precipitation - all that is needed is a water bottle, atomizer, spray bottle, etc. to show this.
 * Recharge from surface water bodies - small plastic containers (Tupperware) with tiny holes at the bottom can be used so that when filled with water, the container drains in about 40 seconds. This can simply be placed on the top layer of rock.
 * Groundwater discharge - to surface water and wetlands - use the original water body from 2, put small holes in sides, and after it has been placed in the top layer, it will fill with water as you pour the water bottle (or other from 1) over the rocks near this. Do the same thing to the wetland with the wetland being represented by a sponge
 * Connection between surface water and groundwater - This is easier to show with two bodies of water, but it can be done in a variety of ways. One way is to take the the water body from 2 and fill it with water, but on the other side have a deeper body of water with small holes in its side. As the water discharges from the first body of water it will go through the aquifer to the second body of water.
 * Saturated zone - some people use sponge this isn't required; just fill the aquifer with enough water so that this layer (which should be one above the impermeable layer, if you use it) is filled with water. Rocks or clear beads work for this layer.
 * Unsaturated zone - clear beads, rock, etc. can be used for this layer. It is right above the saturated zone and not covered in water. Make sure that water doesn't make this layer float.
 * Water Table - between two zones above, just use cloth or a net-like material (net-like material is good to put between all layers so they don't mix)
 * Porosity - use large rocks and small rocks. Show the difference in the space for water and air in each. There are also other possibilities for this step.
 * Permeability - use rocks and a sponge. Show that water moves faster through rocks than a sponge, cloth, or different material.
 * Wetlands - use a sponge, and spray with water, showing that it collects water.
 * Wells - use materials like aquarium airline hose, drinking straws, or other narrow tubes. Add a soap pump, oral syringe or pipette to move water.
 * Well sitting - show how a well in one location works compared to a well in another location.
 * Well closure - plug the well with cotton ball or other item.
 * Relationship between pumping and movement - use one of wells to show how water moves with and without the well pumping.
 * Impact to SW from well - place well by SW and when doing 3, do it once with well pumping and once without. Note the difference between how much groundwater is discharged into surface water.
 * One way to contaminate groundwater - use food coloring or powered drink mix, though red kool-aid is not ideal because it is very difficult to remediate.
 * Point Source Pollution - have a small model factory and talk about how it can pollute the aquifer. This can be made with a grey lego block.
 * Non-Point Source Pollution- get some houses from a Monopoly set and talk about how runoff is needed to transport the pollutants.
 * Leachate - Cut out the bottom of a cup and put a filter instead. Fill the cup with rocks and Kool-Aid mix. Then, pour water through it and show how it collects the Kook-Aid and comes out colored.
 * Movement of contaminate in groundwater - This is where white or clear beads can come in handy so movement of contaminates can be seen.
 * Remediation - there are tons of filters that can be used, so be creative and pick one that works. Alum, which is a remediation technique used in water treatment plants, is another possible material to represent remediation, but the contaminated water will have to go through a filter after alum is put into it because alum will not take the colored water away.
 * Sustainable yield - either have one partner put water in as precipitation while one takes water out through wells, or have one partner put water in as it discharges to surface water when entering the aquifer.

Presentation Tips
Remember these tips for presenting:
 * Talk slowly and clearly, and enunciate. It may take practice to get used to this.
 * Make eye contact.
 * Work together with your partner. Take turns speaking, especially if each partner is an expert on different topics
 * Write a script. Creating a script will help give the presentation a flow. After a decent amount of practice, following the script won't be necessary anymore.
 * Relate the concept demonstrations to the local area. For example, during the 2011 Nationals Tournament, talk about the Wisconsin water system and discuss the differences between your state's and Wisconsin's. Be brief!
 * Practice in front of as many people as possible. Not only does it encourage different opinions and advice, it's a good way to overcome any initial nervousness or shyness about presenting.
 * Don't argue during the event.
 * Use all your time. Cover a topic again if you have extra time.
 * At the end of the presentation, ask the judges if they have any questions. Sometimes the judge will ask you to clarify a point, or ask about something which was omitted. They want you to get the highest score you can.
 * Thank the judge when you're finished. It's polite - they're volunteering their time on your behalf.
 * Clean up any mess you made. This leaves a good impression on the judges.
 * Be prepared for any situation. The presentation could feel like a normal conversation or like a speech on a stage. The judges may ask for elaboration on something you said. Go in ready for anything.

General Tips

 * Before the building part, it's important to master the basics of hydrology with an emphasis on groundwater. Dynamic Planet, Hydrogeology and Earth Science courses are closely related to the event. Learn about the water cycle. Be sure to grasp the concepts of permeability, infiltration, porosity, the water table, and the properties of different rocks (clay, sand, gravel, and impermeable igneous are the big ones). This information will form the background you need to begin learning about aquifers and how to build them.


 * For the most part the ground beneath us is rock. Groundwater exists because there are tiny, interconnected spaces between and within rocks called pores, that under the right conditions can fill up with water.


 * It is possible to demonstrate every single concept on the list in one presentation using an undivided aquifer if demonstrated in the correct order. Dividing the container into sections is another way to demonstrate all the concepts.


 * If you keep getting bits of sand or gravel stuck in the "well" when withdrawing water, wrap a few layers of cheesecloth around the base of the tube and secure it with rubber bands.


 * Generally, gravel is much less messy than sand, and less prone to clogging up the well. It's also easy to see the groundwater moving in between the rocks, while sand can remain wet even after your groundwater is sucked away. Clay is a good option for the impermeable layer, but be sure to have it rolled out before competition time.


 * A good amount of activated charcoal comes with the Awesome Aquifer kit. It is also found in some wholesales and many shops for ponds and aquatic life.


 * If a cone of depression does not form, either the well is too weak or the material the aquifer is in has a really high permeability. Try using sand as the aquifer.


 * Difference between Infiltration and Percolation: Infiltration is when water initially penetrates into the ground. Percolation is the movement of water underground, after infiltration has taken place. Some texts may use infiltration in both cases, but percolation is really the correct term when you're talking about groundwater flow.


 * Difference between Porosity and Permeability: Porosity is the rate of pore space to the actual rock. The pores could be interconnected, or they could not. Permeability is how easily a liquid can flow through the rock. Just because a rock is has a high porosity doesn't mean it is not very permeable.

Links

 * GroundWater.org General Information
 * Aquifer Building
 * Vocabulary Help
 * FIRST AQUIFER HELP
 * Vocab Flash Cards