Build A Pipeline Jnr Engineer Activity

This DIY water pipeline is easy to make with just a few simple materials. Exploring how you use gravity to move water through a pipeline is a great STEM project. Play with engineering, science, and a little math too! Gather a few items for your Junior Engineer building project and let’s get started!

HOW TO BUILD A PIPELINE

HOW DOES A WATER PIPELINE WORK

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 were built throughout Europe and elsewhere, and along with flour mills were considered the lifeline of the Roman Empire. The ancient Chinese also made use of channels and pipe systems for public works.

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 than the other to allow gravity to pull the water down.

You must also carefully connect the pipes and make sure those connections are watertight. Download our free printable project below and let’s get started!

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE JUNIOR ENGINEER PROJECT!

BUILD A PIPELINE

SUPPLIES:

Styrofoam cups
Plastic bendy straws
Masking tape

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1: Poke a small hole in the bottom side of one cup and another hole at the top of another cup.

STEP 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. Be creative.

STEP 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.

STEP 4: Pour water into the higher cup and watch it flow into the lower cup. Plug any leaks with tape. If your first try doesn’t work, try a different design.