Contextualization

Hydrography and Aquifers are essential components in understanding the water resources and the Geography of our planet. Hydrography refers to the study of continental and ocean waters in all aspects, including the distribution, movements, changes, and physical and chemical properties of the ocean, lakes, and rivers, as well as groundwater and precipitation. On the other hand, aquifers are geological formations that store groundwater. These large "reserves" of fresh water can be crucial for the survival of human communities in areas where water is scarce.

Understanding Hydrography and Aquifers is fundamental, since they play a pivotal role in sustainable development. Water is a vital resource for life on Earth, sustaining ecosystems and human activities. Aquifers, in particular, are groundwater reservoirs that can serve as vital sources of drinking water and irrigation. Furthermore, an understanding of Hydrography is essential for the effective management of water resources, urban planning, and mitigation of the impacts of floods and droughts, among others.

Considering the importance of this topic, it will be essential for you, students, to research, deepen, and engage with the subject. There are several credible sources that you can use for this. I recommend the following resources:

• Portal Brasil Escola - Aquíferos
• Fundação SOS Mata Atlântica - Ciclo da Água
• Portal Geografia - Hidrografia

These resources should provide a good foundation to begin your work. Remember, these are just starting points, feel free to expand your research and delve even deeper into the topic!

Hands-on Activity

Title of the Activity: HidroExplorer - An Expedition on Hydrography and Aquifers

Objective

The goal of this activity is to deepen the knowledge on Hidrography and Aquifers, through research, simple experiments, and the creation of a mind map.

Detailed Description of the project

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members. The idea is that the groups will create, using easily accessible materials, a three-dimensional diagram demonstrating the water cycle, surface runoff, and the formation of an aquifer. After creating the diagram, the students will present it to the class, explaining each part and its relevance to the understanding of hydrography and aquifers.

Required Materials

• A large shoebox
• Clay
• Sand
• Small stones
• Water
• Paint
• Spatula or spoon
• Cardboard
• Pens, crayons or markers
• Tray or pot to collect the water that will drain from the system
• A4 white sheets to create the mind map

Step by Step

1. Arrange the shoebox so that the opening is facing up. You will create a "cut" in the ground that will allow you to visualize how the aquifers are formed.
2. Use the clay to create an impermeable layer at the bottom of the box. This will be the base of our system.
3. Place a layer of sand on top of the clay, this will be the first layer of soil permeability.
4. Add a layer of small stones over the sand, this will be the gravel layer, through which water will flow more easily.
5. Now, you have a simple model of a groundwater system. Use the water to simulate rain and observe how it penetrates the subsoil, forms a natural "reservoir" above the clay, and drains through the stones.
6. With a marker, paint, or any painting material, draw the vegetation, buildings, or streets on the upper part of the model (box lid). This will help to visualize the contrast between the urban and rural areas in terms of water runoff.
7. Finally, the students will observe and record the results of the experiment, noting all the important aspects.
8. Then, the students should research the concepts of hydrography and aquifers and create a mind map to highlight the relationship between the concepts studied and the experience carried out.

Project Deliveries

At the end of this project, the group is expected to deliver:

1. The created three-dimensional model.
2. A detailed report with the following sections:

• Introduction: Presentation of the topic, its practical relevance, and the objective of this project.
• Development: Theoretical explanation about Hydrography and Aquifers, a detailed description of the practical experiment, including the materials used, the step-by-step process of creating the model, and a description of the observed results.
• Conclusions: Recap of the main points, lessons learned, and the practical implications of the results.
• Bibliography: List of research sources used for the project.

This report will be the written evidence of the work carried out by the students who will validate the understanding of the concepts addressed and also the ability to describe, analyze, and draw conclusions from their observations and experiments.