In this engaging lesson, students will explore the remarkable engineering abilities of beavers through the science of permeability and material selection. Explorers (8-12 yrs) will delve into how beavers carefully choose materials for their dams, learning why some materials are impermeable, preventing water flow, while others are permeable, allowing water to pass through. They will design and build their own beaver dam models, testing various materials for effectiveness in controlling water flow. Students will also create water filtration systems to understand how beaver dams naturally filter water, connecting ecological engineering with environmental science.

Junior Explorers (4-8 yrs) will engage in their own hands-on versions of these activities, constructing simple dam models and exploring how different materials interact with water. They’ll participate in fun experiments to observe permeability, helping them grasp foundational engineering concepts while developing their problem-solving skills. This lesson blends interactive learning with practical science, making permeability and engineering accessible and exciting for all age groups.