Greenbrier's Civil Engineering Water Filtration Day

This week the Odyssey students at Greenbrier practiced the art of making water filtration systems. They honed their problem solving skills by troubleshooting all the different ways to layer the filters to produce a better purifier. They found it was not easy and that there were many different combinations involved. 

Ashley and Elizabeth making their filters.

The first attempt. While it filtered, the girls quickly realized that the sand in their filtration systems was making the water come out VERY dirty. 

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Alyson and Kevin at their first attempt.

Reid and Kaitlyn at their final try. Filtering the egg shells and raisins was fairly easy. Coffee grinds and pepper not so much.

Emma and Vishnuh figured out using lots of cotton balls would be a good idea; and it was, however, they soon realized cotton balls absorb lots of water! 

Spencer and Eva used an old nylon to help filter their water. These are great filters all by themselves!

Next week we will watch a short video on a nonprofit organization called, "Engineers Without Borders." This organization is dedicated to helping villages in underdeveloped countries design and implement sustainable solutions for clean water, better farming practices, sanitation and much more. Many of the volunteers are college students who give up spring/summer breaks and dedicate their time and talents. What great role models for our Odyssey students...using their academic abilities to make positive changes in the world!  Nice.

Have a wonderful weekend. One good thing about our snow days, Greenbrier didn't miss out on any Odyssey time. Yeah!