Pineapple Fountain Worksheet — History, Science & Math (Age 14)

Instructions

1. Read carefully: Work through each of the four sections in order. Each section focuses on a different aspect of the famous Pineapple Fountain in Charleston, South Carolina.
2. Engage with the content: Use the provided information to solve the math and science problems.
3. Think creatively: In the final section, you will apply what you have learned to design your own landmark.
4. Check your work: Use the answer key at the bottom once you have completed the entire worksheet.

Section 1: History and Symbolism

The Pineapple Fountain in Charleston’s Waterfront Park is one of the most photographed landmarks in the United States. In colonial times, pineapples were a symbol of hospitality. When sea captains returned from trade routes in the Caribbean, they would place a pineapple on their gateposts to signal that they were home and ready to welcome guests.

Match the following terms to their significance:

1. Hospitality _____
2. Waterfront Park _____
3. Colonial Trade _____
4. Pineapple _____

A. The location of the famous fountain. B. The act of welcoming guests or strangers warmly. C. The physical object used to signal a captain's return. D. The economic system that brought exotic fruits to America.

Section 2: The Physics of Water

Fountains work using a combination of pumps and gravity. To get water to reach the top of the "pineapple," a mechanical pump must create enough pressure to overcome the force of gravity pulling the water down.

True or False?

• To make the water shoot higher into the air, the pump must decrease the water pressure. (_____)
• Once the water leaves the spout, gravity is the primary force pulling it back down into the basin. (_____)
• The larger the opening (nozzle) at the top, the faster the water will travel if the pressure stays the same. (_____)

Section 3: Flow Rate Calculations

Engineers must calculate the Flow Rate (how much water moves through the system per minute) to ensure the pumps are the right size.

Formula: Total Water Flow = Gallons Per Minute (GPM) × Time (Minutes)

Complete the table below to calculate how much water moves through a fountain at different times.

Section 4: Engineering Challenge

Imagine you have been hired to design a new fountain for your hometown. It must represent a local "symbol" (like the pineapple represents Charleston).

1. The Symbol: What object or animal represents your town/city? ___

2. The Mechanism: Will your fountain have a single tall jet of water, or will it flow over the sides (a "tiered" fountain)? Explain why:

3. Sketch Layout: In the space below, describe or draw the three main layers of your fountain (the base, the middle, and the top spout).

Section 5: Advanced Challenge (Optional)

The Recirculation Question: Most fountains do not use "new" water constantly; they recycle the water in the basin. If the Pineapple Fountain holds 2,000 gallons of water and the pump moves 50 gallons per minute, how many minutes does it take for the entire volume of water to pass through the pump once?

Answer: ___

Answer Key

Section 1: Matching

1. B
2. A
3. D
4. C

Section 2: Physics

• False (Increasing pressure makes it go higher)
• True
• False (A smaller nozzle usually increases velocity/speed if pressure is constant)

Section 3: Math Table

• 15 GPM x 30 Min = 450 Gallons
• 20 GPM x 5 Min = 100 Gallons
• 25 GPM x 60 Min = 1,500 Gallons
• 50 GPM x 12 Min = 600 Gallons
• 100 GPM x 1 Min = 100 Gallons

Section 4: Engineering (Answers will vary based on student creativity)

Section 5: Advanced Challenge 2,000 Gallons / 50 GPM = 40 Minutes