What Floats and What Sinks?
Today we're going on an exciting research mission! We'll find out what floats and what sinks. Some things float in water because they are light, while others sink because they are heavier than water. You probably know the cork that floats on water and the stone that sinks, right? Now try out some games to understand this better.
What you'll need
- Bowl
- Various materials
- Apple and carrot
- Scissors, glue, ribbons
- Water
How it works
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Look around the house for small objects. First, think about whether they will float or sink, then test your theories in a bowl of water.
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Take an apple and a carrot. Which one floats and which one sinks? An apple floats because it has airy cells inside that help it take up less space in the water.
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Find round things like rings or bracelets. Throw them into the water. Do they float like a life ring or sink like a stone?
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Ships are huge and heavy, right? But they still float! How is that possible? Imagine a ship as a large, hollow bowl. Inside there is a lot of air, which helps the ship float. Also, ships are usually built wide and flat, which helps distribute their weight.
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Build your own little ship! Look for materials you no longer need or that can be recycled. Think about what your ship should look like. Should it be a sailboat? Or maybe a pirate ship?
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When you're done building, fill a large bowl or the sink with water and let your ship float. Does it sink or float? If it sinks, think about what you could change to make it float. Good luck, captains!
What kids learn from this
- Responsibility & independence
- Curiosity & scientific thinking
- Imagination & social connection
