Purify contaminated water using science
The Challenge: Environmental scientists work hard to keep water clean and safe. Your mission is to build a water filtration system using everyday materials (coffee filters, sand, gravel, activated charcoal, cotton balls, plastic bottles). Start with "contaminated" water—add dirt, food coloring, small debris, and cooking oil to clean water. Pour your dirty water through your filtration system and collect what comes out the other end. Compare before and after samples. Which materials worked best? Can you design a multi-stage filter that removes different types of contamination? Document your process with photos and explanations.
What You'll Learn: Environmental science, filtration technology, water quality testing, and the importance of clean water systems in energy production.
