Worksheet

Predict and Protect the Model Airport

Compare grass and straw covers in classroom airport models. Use wind and water test results to predict which plans will protect the land.

Grade 2ScienceInteractive · Printable

Aligned to2-ESS2-1

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What’s included

Single worksheet
Auto-graded online
1 NGSS standard
Printable answer key
14 questions
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Details

Format: Interactive · Printable
Grade: Grade 2
Subject: Science
Question types: Fill in the blank, Multiple choice, Circle the answer, Sorting, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

Students compare grass and straw covers as ways to slow land changes caused by wind and water.
Students use test evidence to predict which soil-protection designs will work best.
Students suggest a design improvement based on an observed problem.

How to use

Read the investigation together. Help students notice that the data show soil that stayed, then have them compare designs and explain their predictions.

Curriculum

NGSS standard covered

2-ESS2-1

Compare ways to slow or stop wind or water from changing the shape of the land.

Preview

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Name Date

Predict and Protect the Model Airport

Use test results to predict which covers will keep soil in place.

Rain Near the Runway

Read about the classroom models. Use the water results to make predictions.

Room 8 Builds an Airport

Room 8 is building a model airport on the classroom project table. Beside the runway is a small soil slope. The builders wonder how to keep rain and wind from carrying soil onto the runway.

An adult tests three designs inside large catch trays: bare soil, soil with growing grass, and soil under a straw mat. Each model starts with 14 small scoops of soil and the same slope. Clips hold the straw mat at two corners.

For each water test, the adult pours one cup of water from the same height at the same slow speed. For wind tests, the adult uses fresh models. A hand fan stays the same distance away and makes 15 gentle strokes. Students stand back.

The class catches soil that leaves each model. After it dries, they measure it with the same small scoop. They subtract that amount from 14 to find the soil that stayed. A cover that keeps more soil in place gives better protection in that test.

Water Test Results: Soil That Stayed
Bare soil: 7 scoops
Grass cover: 13 scoops
Straw mat: 11 scoops

The class repeats the same water test. Which design would you predict will keep the most soil in place?

A. Bare soil, because it kept 7 scoops.
B. The straw mat, because it kept 11 scoops.
C. Grass cover, because it kept 13 scoops.
D. Both covers, because they kept equal amounts.

How many more scoops stayed with grass than with the straw mat? scoops

Imani says, “The bare model worked best because its number is smallest.” Which true statement shows why Imani is wrong?

A. The numbers tell how many cups of water were poured.
B. The numbers tell how much soil each model started with.
C. The numbers tell how much soil washed out of each model.
D. The numbers tell how much soil stayed in each model.

Circle the TWO changes that would likely keep more soil in place than leaving the model bare during another matching water test.

Add growing grass to the soil.Remove the grass and leave bare soil.Take off the straw mat and leave bare soil.Cover the soil with a clipped straw mat.

The class wants to compare the two covers again. Which plan makes the comparison fair?

A. Use matching slopes and the same water amount for both covers.
B. Use matching slopes and pour more water onto the grass.
C. Use the same water amount and a steeper slope under the mat.
D. Use the same water amount and less starting soil under the grass.

Wind Beside the Runway

Read the graph carefully. A taller bar means more soil stayed in place.

The class expects another wind test just like this one. Which design is the best choice for keeping soil off the runway?

A. Bare soil, because the shortest bar shows the best protection.
B. The straw mat, because the tallest bar shows the most soil stayed.
C. Grass cover, because the middle bar shows the most soil stayed.
D. Either cover, because the two bars show matching protection.

How many more scoops stayed with the straw mat than with grass in the wind test? scoops

Each prediction is for a test like the class test. Sort it by which results support it.

Grass will likely keep more soil than the straw mat.Bare soil will likely keep 5 scoops.The straw mat will likely keep more soil than grass.Bare soil will likely keep 7 scoops.

Water results	Wind results

Theo predicts that 13 scoops will stay under the straw mat even with much stronger wind. What is the best response?

A. Expect the same result because the mat has the same name.
B. Use the water result because stronger wind acts like poured water.
C. Test the stronger wind because the wind strength has changed.
D. Choose bare soil because stronger wind makes covers less useful.

Plan the Next Airport Model

Use both sets of results and the new observation. Make predictions and explain your choices.

10.

One airport model needs protection from wind and water, but it cannot use living plants. Which tested plan is best for that model?

A. Use growing grass over the soil.
B. Leave the model's soil uncovered.
C. Remove a cover before each test.
D. Use a straw mat clipped over the soil.

11.

A builder predicts that grass will protect the soil better than bare ground in both kinds of tests. Underline the TWO comparisons that support this prediction.

In water, grass kept 13 scoops while bare soil kept 7.In water, grass kept 13 scoops while the straw mat kept 11.In wind, grass kept 9 scoops while bare soil kept 5.In wind, the straw mat kept 13 scoops while grass kept 9.

A New Observation
During another wind test, the middle of one straw-mat edge lifts up. Wind blows under that edge and carries soil out. The clips at the two corners stay in place.

12.

Which change best addresses the problem the class observed?

A. Make a wider opening under the loose edge.
B. Add clips to hold down the lifting edge.
C. Remove the mat from the model's soil.
D. Move both corner clips to the opposite edge.

13.

Predict how adding clips along the lifting edge could change the amount of soil that stays. Explain why, using the new observation.

14.

For two new models, choose the best tested cover for water and the best tested cover for wind. Use numbers to explain why you predict each cover will work better than the other cover.