Toxic Waste Experiment

How does toxic waste affect ground water?
That was our focus question, which fifth graders wrote, in the scientific notebook style, in their meaning making journals.  We made models, simulating the aquifer layers with clear pebbles, then molding clay and moistened sand for groundwater.  Red food coloring was our "toxic waste."  Students wrote and articulated their predictions, claims, and evidence.
Our young scientists were amazed to see the process unfold!