For the introductory teacher demonstration:

• 2 large beakers
• reptile substrate or bedding from a pet store, enough for the two beakers (this material comes in desiccated [dried out] bricks of plant matter; the night before, add water to one beaker to thoroughly wet the material overnight)
• water
• cup, to hold and pour water into the beakers during the demo

Each student needs:

• Capillary Action Activities Worksheet
• eye protection glasses or goggles

For Part I: The Meniscus, each group needs:

• graduated cylinder

For Part II: Capillary Tubes, each group needs:

• ring stand with support ring attached
• 3 capillary tubes of different diameters
• large Petri dish
• twist-ties
• water with dark food coloring
• ruler

For Part III: Using Capillary Action, each group needs:

• assortment of various types of paper, cloth and string
• paper towels
• scissors
• tape
• 2 buckets
• ruler
• scale