Grade 2 students of GIIS Noida were engaged in a project-based activity named ‘Water- Filter’, which gave them hands-on experience on a model to understand the making and working of aquifers, and how they naturally conserve groundwater.

This activity was conducted as a part of the i-Care program, which is an initiative by GIIS to educate and sensitize the students from an early age with the concept of saving the Earth from various environmental issues.

One of the major concerns today is the usage of groundwater.  Over the years, the improper use of groundwater has posed many threats to the natural quality of soil, thus creating serious issues like saltwater encroachment, drying of aquifers, groundwater pollution, waterlogging, etc. 

During the online class, our young scientists were introduced to the concept of groundwater and aquifers. They became curious to understand the soil profile and the process of groundwater occurrence. Trying their hands on something new, our budding scientists made their own water-filters. This was a big concept for them to grasp and also gave them knowledge about water cycles as well. 

The students made their own water filters and understood the occurrence of groundwater in nature. This activity was a way of consistent cognitive learning for the students that involved a little engineering too. Through this activity, students understood the soil profile and how water reaches the bottom of the soil through its different layers, and how ‘Aquifers’ exist naturally.

The activity gave students a hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of the topic and also environmental-related topics that included engineering and science both.

The i-Care program at GIIS is truly an authentic learning module that acquaints our students with relevant and meaningful learning experiences, and also allows them to use the knowledge gained to solve real-world problems/issues very well. 

If we look at the positive outcomes of the experiment conducted, we can say that:

1. the study conducted made students aware of the environmental issues and sensitized them on the importance/need of conserving natural resources.
2. the activity motivated students towards science. Students made their own DIY water filters using the concept of aquifers.
3. the activity elevated a scientific temperament and understanding of natural phenomenons.
4. students got an opportunity to enhance their process skills including observation, questioning, searching, planning, hypothesis formulation, and testing, using various tools for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, supporting explanations with evidences, critically thinking to consider and evaluate alternative explanations, and also reflecting on their own thinking.
5. students became more sensitive towards environmental issues and shall do their bit by educating more people around them.