Project Description:

Two millennia ago, the ancient Romans created large aqueducts to transport fresh water to highly populated areas. The water was transported from higher elevations by building the aqueducts in graduated segments. This allowed gravity to push the water along until it reached its destination. Hundreds of these aqueducts were built throughout Europe and other areas, and when combined with the invention of flour mills, were considered the lifeline of the Roman Empire.

Make your own pipeline below that will transport water from the main tank to a smaller tank using an incline. In order for the water to travel through a pipeline, one end needs to be higher than the other to allow gravity to pull the water down. The pipes must be used carefully to ensure the connections are watertight.

Project Materials:

• Styrofoam cups
• Plastic bendy straws
• Masking tape

Project Instructions:

1. Poke a small hole in the bottom side of one cup and another hole at the top of another cup.
2. Figure out a way to build a stand for one cup, so that it is higher than the other. Use the straws and tape. Use your creativity!
3. Connect the two cups together using a straw pipeline. Poke a bendy straw through one hole and then through the hole in the other cup.
4. Pour water into the higher cup and watch it flow into the lower cup. Plug any leaks with tape. If your first design doesn’t work, try a different design.