Polk Soil and water conservation district
Educational resources
About
Polk SWCD offers several educational activities, displays, and resources that you can reserve for your classrooms or events. Use the table of contents to quickly jump to the resource and view its details.
All of our resources are free to check out, simply contact our office at 515-964-1883×3 to check availability and reserve dates.
Table of contents
- Enviroscape
- Marble Watershed Model
- Water Wheel
- Root Box Activity
- Park Pack Activities
Rainfall Simulator
The rainfall simulator demonstrates what happens when it rains on different types of plants and crops. In this image on the left, you can see that the simulated rain over bare soil eroded, pulling soil particles with it. On the right, you can see that the crop filtered the rainwater and held the soil together, leaving clean water to return to our water bodies where we get our drinking water from. You can perform this version of the simulation inside of a classroom, but you can also reach out and ask us about the NRCS Rain Simulator Trailer that is hosted outside and can demonstrate multiple land types at once.
Expand the drop down below to explore resources and lesson plans associated with the rainfall simulator.
Instructor Guide & Lesson Plans
Demonstrational Video
Groundwater flow model
This model demonstrates how groundwater flows through different types of aquifers and effects of pumping on the water table, nearby wells, and streams. The model consists of a tank constructed of layered sediments of differing porosity and permeability.
Expand the drop down below to explore resources and lesson plans associated with the groundwater flow model.
Instructor Guide & Lesson Plans
Demonstrational Video
Slake & Slump Test
The Slake & Slump Test uses simple visual methods to demonstrate soil aggregate stability and overall soil health. On the left, you can see a healthy soil aggregate, it is staying together, and very little has eroded. On the right, you can see the soil aggregate is coming apart, it this soil is not healthy and will erode away with the rain.
Expand the drop down below to explore resources and lesson plans associated with the slake and slump test.
Instructor Guide & Lesson Plans
Demonstrational Video
Stream trailer
Our stream trailer uses an electric pump system to flow water through a table filled with sandy material that simulates streamflow through a landscape. Participants create their own flow paths and use accessories to create their own watershed.
Expand the drop down below to explore resources and lesson plans associated with the stream trailer.
Instructor Guide & Lesson Plans
Demonstrational Video
Instructional Video
Enviroscape
The EnviroScape is a watershed model that can be used to explore the way human actions can impact the health and quality of our local water ways. It models pollution prevention through shared responsibility for the environment to people of all ages and backgrounds. The model is engaging, hands-on, and fun.
Expand the drop down below to explore resources and lesson plans associated with the EnviroScape.
Instructor Guide & Lesson Plans
Demonstrational Video
Water wheel of fortune
The Water Wheel of Fortune is a simple table top display that comes with a set of questions that can be asked for each picture. This is a perfect activity to bring to events and festivals, and can be used in the classroom to get students moving and thinking about water quality impacts.
Expand the drop down below to explore resources and lesson plans associated with the water wheel.
The goal of Polk SWCD is to protect water quality and conserve soil resources in Iowa.
To provide leadership that helps people improve, conserve, and sustain our natural resources while educating them on the importance and practicality of maintaining our environment and quality of life.
Quick Links
Office Hours
- Monday-Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
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Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Closed on federal holidays