Ancient Greek Archimedes Screw Slurry Pump

45 mins Ages 10-14 Indoor

A challenging, hands-on discovery and STEM project designed for curious young minds aged 10 to 14.

• Rigid PVC pipe or wooden broom dowel (approx. 40 cm long, 1-inch diameter) (1 unit)
• Clear flexible vinyl tubing (approx. 6–8 mm inner diameter) (1.5 meters)
• Heavy-duty duct tape (1 roll)
• Bowls (one filled with tinted water, one empty) (2 units)

→ Wrap flexible vinyl tubing tightly around a central PVC pipe in a continuous spiral, securing both ends with duct tape.
→ Hold the pipe at an angle (~30–45 degrees) with the lower tube mouth submerged in a water bowl.
→ Rotating the pipe in the direction of the spiral traps pockets of water in each coil, lifting liquid up the pipe against gravity.

Work over a towel or basin to manage water transfers between containers.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Tightly wrap a 1.5-meter length of clear vinyl tubing in a continuous spiral around a 40 cm PVC pipe, taping the ends firmly.

Rest the lower end of the angled pipe in a bowl filled with colored water, with the lower tube opening submerged.

Angle the pipe at roughly 35 degrees with the top tube opening positioned over an empty elevated collection bowl.

Rotate the pipe continuously in the direction of the spiral: watch individual water pockets climb the coils and pour out the top.

Archimedean helical fluid displacement Positive displacement pump kinematics Rotary manual irrigation engineering