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Activity Finder: Build a Dam
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Build a Dam
Beavers build dams to flood out streams and create safe habitats for their families. Dams block streams or rivers to create a calm pond deep enough for the beavers to build a lodge. Design and build a dam, then add water to one side to test your dam. You can build your dam in a paint tray or head outside to a sandbox or beach instead. Try different materials to find out what works best to keep the water on the upper side of your dam.
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Plan
Do you want to do this adventure inside, outside or at camp? Do you have access to a sandbox or beach you could use instead of the paint tray?
What do you know about beaver dams?
Why do beavers build dams?
What materials will you use to build your dam?
Do you want to do this adventure alone or in small groups? How will you make your groups?
Where will you get water to test your dam?
Do
Build a dam across the middle of the container.
Test your dam by pouring water on one side. Does any water make it through?
Tweak your dam until it keeps all of the water on one side of the container.
For an extra challenge, try building a dam without any glue.
Review
What do you know now that you did not know before?
What materials worked best? What didn’t work so well?
How does your dam compare to a real beaver dam?
What do you think would happen to your dam if the water was flowing instead of sitting still?
What elements of STEM were in this adventure? Science? Technology? Engineering? Mathematics?
What did you like about this adventure? What did you not like? How would you do this adventure differently?
Materials
1 paint tray per Beaver Scout or group
Plasticine
Popsicle sticks
Toothpicks
Straws
Twigs
Leaves
Access to water
Keep it Simple
Rather than building a dam, try drawing a beaver lodge. What would you want the inside of your lodge to look like?
Some Beavers might find it easier to work in groups, and that’s ok to! Work in small groups to build your dam.
Take it Further
Try building another animal’s home. Try a wolf den, bear den, a nest.
