Ground Plans for the Rainforest Nut Shed

Testing Before Building

Workers sort nuts in a shed at the edge of a rainforest clearing. Rainwater has cut small grooves into a sandy slope beside the shed. During dry weather, wind blows loose sand toward the doorway. The workers want to keep more sand in place.

A class built small models to compare plans. Each model began with 20 level scoops of sand. For water tests, the trays had the same slope. An adult poured one cup of water onto each tray over ten seconds. The class tested bare sand, a plant mat, and a row of branches across the slope. The mat was a woven cover made from plant fibers.

The class ran each water test twice, using fresh sand each time. A larger tray caught the sand that washed away. After it dried, students measured it with the same small scoop.

For wind tests, the class used level trays with fresh sand. They compared bare sand, the plant mat, and a woven screen facing the wind. An adult gave each tray 30 gentle hand-fan strokes from the same distance. Students measured the sand blown out.