FACTivity – Logjams and Beaver Dams

In this FACTivity, you will build a physical representation, or a model, of a beaver dam. Some of the questions you will answer in this FACTivity are:

• How can you successfully build a model of a beaver dam?
• What are the similarities and differences between a beaver dam and a logjam?

Materials (for each student or group of students):

• Large disposable aluminum pan
• Dirt - enough to cover the pan's bottom to 1"
• A bucket of extra dirt with water, mixed to a thick mud
• Scissors (for the educator or supervisor)
• Plastic gallon jug filled with water
• Water source
• Sticks of various sizes
• Other natural materials (i.e. gravel, small rocks, leaves, bark, grass, etc.)
• Graphic organizer (included)