Rainfall Simulator

Toxic spills are accidental releases of potentially dangerous chemicals. Spills can happen in many different ways; a container can break open due to a collision or fall, rust through from corrosion or burst due to pressure from a runaway reaction. Although we usually think of a spill as involving a liquid, a chemical spill can also be a toxic gas or solid. Toxic spills are often harmful to those breathing the air, drinking the water, or living in the area. What starts off as a spill of toxic industrial chemicals can be washed away by flood waters or other ground water and impact drinking water sources and compromise ecosystems way beyond the original spill. Some serious toxic spills have impacted marine biodiversity and crippled local communities whose livelihoods depend on fishing.
Students will design and build a hands-free device to transport the rainfall evenly to the different plant locations.
A wooden platform with a blue funnel in the middle and two containers below

This Guide provides the instructor information on how to run the design challenge with alternatives for materials and test setups as well as information to help make the design challenge a good educational experience.

Rainfall Simulator Video

The video conveys the societal impact of the student’s research that is the basis for the design challenge and will set the problem-solving context for students. The video also  leads students through the design process. It indicates materials available, states what the criteria are for success and any constraints.