Hydro-Logic!

Objective: In this activity, students can learn the geography of the state. In addition, most
major water topics are covered in the questions; therefore, children have an opportunity to
learn about a range of water-related subjects.

Materials: Game board, 1 set of dice, 1 set of Hydro-Logic! card deck (questions), place
markers for each item (i.e., beans, paper clips, plastic chips, etc.)

Background: South Dakota has a total of 9,937 miles of rivers and streams. There are 799
lakes and reservoirs in the state, totaling 1,598,285 acres. Groundwater is found in aquifers
and natural underground layers of porous materials such as sand or gravel. 93% of the
drinking water systems in South Dakota draw their water from groundwater sources.

For decades, Americans have used water as though their water supply would never fail. In
recent years, drought conditions have forcibly brought the need to conserve and properly
budget our water resources. Water may be commonplace, but useful water is not always
readily available.

Procedure:
For younger students: Teacher may suggest that the game board be colored by each team.
Teacher will need to make copies of game board and card deck prior to starting. A
recommendation would be to laminate each set of games for use at other times.

Two teams or more are necessary to play this game. A team may consist of one or more players
who will answer the questions to advance around the board. The basic layout of the game is
similar to "Candy Land".

Divide students into teams. If a team consists of more than one player, it will be necessary to
designate a team "captain" who will give the official answer to the questions.

Play begins from the "Start" water drop. Teams throw the die to determine who goes first.

The first team (Team A) then throws the die. Team B chooses the top card from the
Hydro-Logic card deck and asks the multiple-choice question to Team A. If the answer is
correct, Team A moves their game place marker the number of spaces shown on the die. If the
answer is incorrect, the team marker does not move.

Each team has one chance to answer a question and then play passes to the next team.

Along the game board are spaces with specific instructions. When a team marker lands on one
of those spaces, the team needs to follow the instructions on the square.

The game is won when a team reaches the "Finish" water drop or when a predetermined time
has passed.

Extensions:
Contact the state Geological Survey and invite a hydrogeologist to visit the classroom. Ask the
hydrogeologist to bring topographic maps showing the state's water resources to share with
the class.

Divide the class into small groups. Show the students the state map and divide it into sections
(one section for each small group). Have each group construct their own 3-dimensional model
of their section of the state, showing all the land masses and the water resources in their area.