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Whitewater Rapids

What happens when fast-flowing water meets solid rock? Students will learn about whitewater rapids and create an image that depicts this phenomenon

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Black or Dark Construction Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Ask students if they've ever watched whitewater rafting, canoeing, or kayaking, perhaps during the Olympics, in movies, or in person. Did they wonder how the white water formed? Have them learn about the science of this phenomenon. What type of erosion causes rapids to form? Why does the water turn white? Where are rapids most likely to occur? Why are they important for maintaining healthy river ecosystems? How are they used for harnessing energy?

  • Step 2

    Ask students to illustrate a whitewater rapids scene. Have them dip watercolor pencils into a small amount of white paint, then draw on dark paper. This  technique will create unique, textured lines and can be used for features such as greenery around the river banks, moving currents, foamy white water, and others.

  • Step 3

    Have students present their art and talk about the technique they used to achieve a feeling of movement in the scene. What other images or scenes would they like to create using this technique? Perhaps they might suggest textured fur, fields of grass, and wispy white hair. 

Standards

SCI: Design pictorial or graphic representations/models that are useful in communicating ideas. 

SCI: Recognize what is relevant and how changes in scale, proportion, or quantity affect a system’s structure or performance. 

Adaptations

Some rapids are used for hydroelectric power generation, since the force of the water can be harnessed to produce electricity. Have students investigate other ways nature can provide alternative energy sources to fossil fuels.

Have students learn about some of the rivers known for their rapids. For example, the Zambezi River in Africa is home to Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is considered a lifeline to millions of people, and hosts two hydroelectric power sources.