For this WebQuest, you will build a model of a kelp forest.
Science Safety Reminders:
1) Ask an adult for help and supervision with this activity.
2) Do not eat or drink anything associated with science lab projects.
3) Be very careful when using glass objects or sharp scissors or knives. It is
always a good idea to have an adult help when using knives or other sharp objects.
Materials you will need:
**You will need an adult helper for this activity**
Scissors
Empty, clean 2-liter plastic soda bottle (ask an adult to cut the label off
for you)
Ruler
Aluminum foil
Pipe cleaner
2 round plastic fishing corks, 1 inch diameter with spring-type clips
(available from an outdoor supply store or a sports supply store - you may
find them under the name "fishing floats")
A rock or pebble (small enough to fit inside a soda bottle)
Tap water
Procedure:
1) Ask your adult helper to cut the top off the soda bottle. They should leave
about 8 inches of the container.
2) Use your scissors to carefully cut a strip of foil that is 8 inches by 6
inches in length. Ask an adult if you need help measuring. Fold the foil strip
in half lengthwise four times.
3) Wrap about 2 inches of one end of the foil strip around the center of the
pipe cleaner.
4) Clip the bottom of one fishing cork to the foil strip 2 inches above the
pipe cleaner.
5) Clip the bottom of the second cork 2 inches above the first cork.
6) Cut two triangles from the aluminum foil, each with a base of 1 inch and
sides of 6 inches (again, ask an adult if you need help measuring).
7) Clip the top of each fishing cork to the base of one of the foil triangles.
8) Wrap the pipe cleaner around the rock.
9) Fill the soda bottle about three-quarters full with water. Carefully lower
the rock and attached items into the water.
How does this represent kelp?
Kelp has four main parts:
*The holdfast which clings to rocks. Your pipe cleaner serves as a holdfast in
the kelp forest you made. The holdfast is similar to the roots of a land plant.
*The stipe. This is similar to a land plant's stem. The foil strip acts as the
stipe for your kelp.
*The float. These are represented by the fishing corks. The floats are
air-filled sacs that help the kelp stay upright in the water.
*The blade which is similar to a leaf on a land plant. This was represented by
the foil triangles on your kelp model.
Reference
This activity is the Underwater Forest activity from Janice VanCleave's
Ecology for every kid: Easy activities that make learning science fun.
VanCleave, J. (1996). Ecology for every kid: Easy activities that make
learning science fun. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
