Learning Goals
- Exploring buoyancy
- Determining which objects sink
- Determining which objects float
Curriculum Connection
Use scientific inquiry/experimentation skills to investigate liquids and solids in terms of their capacity for buoyancy.
Science and Technology –
Understanding Matter and Energy, Properties of Liquids and Solids
Materials
- Container to hold water
- Water
- Small household objects that can get wet
- Food colouring (optional)
- Paper
- Writing tool
Preparation
- Fill a container ½ way with water.
- Collect materials.
- Add food colouring if desired.
- Add objects one at a time to the water.
- Record whether objects sink or float using pictures, symbols, words or tally list.
Extension:
Add different water levels.
Add more than 1 object at a time.
Sort objects on a graph according to sink and float categories.
Verbal Prompts
Let’s explore what will sink and what will float.
To sink means the item will fall to the bottom of the container.
To float means the item will stay on the top of the water.
First, choose an item and place it in the water.
Then, watch to see if it sinks or floats.
Then, record your observation.
Next, choose another item and place it in the water.
Then, watch to see if it sinks or floats.
Then, record your observation.
Keep going until you have tried all of the items.
Then, look at your recordings.
How many items sank? How many floated?
Finished!
Great job exploring what sinks and what floats.
Let’s clean up and check your schedule.