During this hands-on activity, students will simulate hydraulic fracturing of a well to visualize how rocks can fracture when fluids are injected at high pressure. Students will also observe proppant distributed within the fractures. This activity will help clarify misconceptions about the hydraulic fracturing process, for example that explosions do not occur during hydraulic fracturing.
STANDARDS:
AP Environmental Science: 5.9, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5
Environmental Systems: 1B-C, 1G, 2A-C, 3A-C, 4A-C, 10A, 12A, 12C
ESS: 1B-C, 2A-C, 3A-C, 4A-C, 12E, 13A-B
NGSS: HS-ETS1-1, HS-ETS1-2, HS-ETS1-3, HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-2, HS-ESS3-4
