Creating the Water Wall

I've always wanted to create a water wall.  We are very lucky that our playground is surrounded by just the right type of fence for making an elaborate one.  The process lasted most of the morning.  I found a battery operated  lightweight drill that is just perfect for small hands (my usual drill is SO heavy). For many children, this was their first time using a real drill.  The excitement filled the air as the crowd grew around the construction area.  Wearing safety goggles, each child took a turn drilling plastic holes into recycled water and soda bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, and all sorts of other containers.  They drilled holes in the sides for hanging and holes in the bottoms so the water could run through.

I was impressed with the way the children helped each other, in putting on goggles, in hanging their containers, and in stabilizing the containers while their partner drilled.  The collaboration on this project was remarkable.

As our water wall started to grow, children began testing it out. I remembered all of the reasons I wanted to build a water wall.  I saw thinking, planning, collaborating, and hypothesizing.  We had thoughtful scientists, creative inventors, and team players.  And what fun!  The squeals of joy as the water ran through from top to bottom made all of our hard work worthwhile.  Enjoy the video and come check out our water wall!