Western Treatment Plant Explorer : Teacher Resources : Resource 15
Resource 15
Engineering dunnies ¹
The task
You are an engineer with the job of designing a new toilet system for the firm of Dinkum Dunnies. You have to try to develop the maximum flush, with a minimum volume of water.
You will need:
- funnels of different sizes
- retort stands
- rubber tubing of different diameters
- a sink
- clamps.
One rule of this activity is no mess. All of the water should end up in the sink.
- On your own, plan what you would try to do. Share your ideas with your partners and agree on a common plan. You might try different widths of tubing, different funnels or changes in the height of the apparatus.
- How could you measure the strength of a flush? You could measure the length of the water jet. That might give some idea of force.
- Write down the draft plan and discuss it with your teacher.
- Do the experiment.
- Write up your experiment as a letter to the firm of Dinkum Dunnies.
¹ Based on an activity from: Keith McTaggart and Paul Saddler 1993, Flushing Dunnies, Melbourne Water and Science Teachers Association of Victoria.