A Bullfrogs view of...

Our Local Watershed and Water Education for Young Minds...

Brentwood Elementary VESD Mrs. Bishop's Class
  


   
   

 

 

 

Irrigation

irrigation

In the Classroom

Christal Walton's sixth grade class set up a mini-irrigation system to simulate the process used by the ancient Sumerians to bring water to their fields.

MATERIALS: baking pan, dirt, seeds, measuring cup, stick

PROCESS:

  1. Spread dirt in baking pan
  2. dig hole to act as water source
  3. use stick to make furrows in dirt, leading from water source
  4. plant seed, cover with dirt
  5. water every three days by poring one cup of water into water source

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: While this process worked for the Sumerians for many years after awhile the irrigation system failed in large part due to the naturally occurring salinization (salt content) and water-logging (over-use or poor management of irrigation water).

Could it happen to us?

Is the San Joaquin Valley in California doomed? Are the mistakes of the ancient civilizations irrigation procedures being duplicated?

Have students research problems being faced in semi-arid agricultural areas that rely on irrigation.