Each group needs:

• 6 strips of wide-range pH paper (litmus paper); it is typical to find 100 strips for less than $5 at chemical supply companies such as Auspex Scientific
• 7 numbered small plastic cups for samples
• plastic spoon for mixing
• Finding Pollution Worksheet, one per student
• 12-inch ruler

For the class to share:

Part I

• 6 Ziploc® bags or plastic bins
• ~12 cups of playground sand
• 1 marker or Sharpie®
• 1 roll of masking tape
• 6 teaspoons
• 1 container of unsweetened powdered lemonade mix
• 6 soil samples made from sand and lemonade mix; see the preparation instructions in the Procedure section
• jug of water

Part II

• 1 bottle of vegetable oil
• 1 box of baking soda
• 1 bag of (any-sized) cotton balls
• 6-10 coffee filters (any size, kind)
• 6-10 plastic spoons
• 1 bottle of liquid dishwashing soap (any kind)
• (optional) dirt, cocoa or food coloring to make the sample look "muddy"
• (optional) plastic disposable gloves