Sink ItSink It

By: Kristen SchmittBy: Kristen Schmitt

Science StandardScience Standard

Indicator 4.2.4Indicator 4.2.4 Use Numeral data to describe and compare Use Numeral data to describe and compare

objects and events.objects and events. Taken fromTaken from

http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspxAcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx

Link to ActivityLink to Activity http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/

lessons.php?DocID=125lessons.php?DocID=125

DefinitionsDefinitions

Have students decide what the follow definitions really are. Have students decide what the follow definitions really are. Do not give them the definition. Do not give them the definition.

Numeral Data- is data measured or identified on a numeral Numeral Data- is data measured or identified on a numeral scale.scale.

Compare- To examine in order to note the similarities or Compare- To examine in order to note the similarities or differences of.differences of.

Observe- To be or become aware of, especially through Observe- To be or become aware of, especially through careful and directed attention; notice.careful and directed attention; notice.

Buoyancy- The tenency or papacity to remain afloat in a Buoyancy- The tenency or papacity to remain afloat in a liquid or rise in air or gas.liquid or rise in air or gas.

Density- The measure of the quantity of some physical Density- The measure of the quantity of some physical property (usually mass) per unit length, area, or volume property (usually mass) per unit length, area, or volume (usually volume)(usually volume)

Taken from http://www.thefreedictionary.comTaken from http://www.thefreedictionary.com

Background InformationBackground Information

During this experiment, we will be During this experiment, we will be observing objects sinking and floating. observing objects sinking and floating. Each student will hypothesize what Each student will hypothesize what he/she believes will happen with the he/she believes will happen with the objects. The class will be working in objects. The class will be working in groups throughout the procedure and groups throughout the procedure and then we will compare our data at the end then we will compare our data at the end of the experiment. of the experiment.

Will it Sink or Float???Will it Sink or Float???

PurposePurpose

The purpose of this experiment is to have The purpose of this experiment is to have the students use the scientific theory in the students use the scientific theory in collection information about these collection information about these objects. Furthermore, the students could objects. Furthermore, the students could explore or wonder about other objects explore or wonder about other objects after they have performed this after they have performed this experiment. They may seek out their experiment. They may seek out their answers in their own exploration.answers in their own exploration.

Materials NeededMaterials Needed

Bucket or bowl of about ½ for each student groupBucket or bowl of about ½ for each student group At least six 3” x 5” cards per groups. Each card should have a hole At least six 3” x 5” cards per groups. Each card should have a hole

punched in the hand cornerpunched in the hand corner 6-inch piece of yarn or string for each student group6-inch piece of yarn or string for each student group At least 15 items for each group, made of a variety of materials, At least 15 items for each group, made of a variety of materials,

such as wood, metal, and paper. These could include: paper clips, such as wood, metal, and paper. These could include: paper clips, toothpicks, soda bottle caps, marbles, plastic beads and cubes, toothpicks, soda bottle caps, marbles, plastic beads and cubes, sponge pieces, pencils, pieces of aluminum foil and paper, small sponge pieces, pencils, pieces of aluminum foil and paper, small balls, erasers, pieces of Styrofoam, and plastic eating utensils balls, erasers, pieces of Styrofoam, and plastic eating utensils

Large tub of water half full of water for the teacher demonstration Large tub of water half full of water for the teacher demonstration pan balance for the teacher demonstration pan balance for the teacher demonstration several items to use for the teacher demonstration (e.g., apple, several items to use for the teacher demonstration (e.g., apple,

potato, paper clip or penny, 6" piece of wood board) potato, paper clip or penny, 6" piece of wood board) ““Sink it” Student Sheet (found on the next page)Sink it” Student Sheet (found on the next page)Taken from http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.php?DocID=125Taken from http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.php?DocID=125

““Sink It” Student SheetSink It” Student Sheet

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/pdfs/sinkit_http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/pdfs/sinkit_actsheet.pdfactsheet.pdf

You will have to print these off for your You will have to print these off for your

students before class starts. You will not students before class starts. You will not be able to have your students copy and be able to have your students copy and paste them into a word document. You paste them into a word document. You could also have your students prepare a could also have your students prepare a chart like this one on Excel. This would chart like this one on Excel. This would integrate computers into this lesson.integrate computers into this lesson.

Pre-Activity QuestionsPre-Activity Questions

Ask them to write down what they think the Ask them to write down what they think the definitions are to the words on slide three. You definitions are to the words on slide three. You can then go over those later.can then go over those later.

Have the students put their materials into Have the students put their materials into various groups, then ask them questions as to various groups, then ask them questions as to why they put them into those groups. These why they put them into those groups. These could include: Did you sort them by color? could include: Did you sort them by color? Size? Weight?Size? Weight?

Which objects to you think will sink? Which objects to you think will sink? Which objects will float?Which objects will float?

ActivityActivity

Step 1Step 1Split students into equal groups. Have these groups be filled with Split students into equal groups. Have these groups be filled with

students who are all different kinds of thinkers.students who are all different kinds of thinkers.

Step 2Step 2 Distribute the items and tell the students to observe them and Distribute the items and tell the students to observe them and

recognize there differences.recognize there differences.

Step 3Step 3 Have the students tell you and their classmates what objects Have the students tell you and their classmates what objects

they think will float and sink. Collect datathey think will float and sink. Collect data

Step 4Step 4Pass out their “Sink it” sheet and explain to the students that they Pass out their “Sink it” sheet and explain to the students that they

should use the 3” x 5” cards to write a procedure to test their should use the 3” x 5” cards to write a procedure to test their objects. They should then do a objects. They should then do a dry rundry run with the objects to with the objects to make sure they know exactly what they should be doing.make sure they know exactly what they should be doing.

Activity cont.Activity cont.Step 5Step 5

Have the students test all the items and Have the students test all the items and record their data.record their data.

Step 6Step 6 Ask the following questions throughout the experiment as guiding Ask the following questions throughout the experiment as guiding questions for questions for your students. They should think about the answers to your students. They should think about the answers to these questions as they are these questions as they are collecting the data: collecting the data:

How full will your bucket be for each object tested? Do you need a certain How full will your bucket be for each object tested? Do you need a certain amount of water to be able to fairly test whether something floats? Should it be amount of water to be able to fairly test whether something floats? Should it be the same the same amount of water for each item? amount of water for each item?

How will you place the object in the bucket? Will you drop it in? If so, from what How will you place the object in the bucket? Will you drop it in? If so, from what height? Will you place it halfway down into the water and then let it go? Will you height? Will you place it halfway down into the water and then let it go? Will you place it on the place it on the bottom of the bucket and then let it go? Will you put the object in bottom of the bucket and then let it go? Will you put the object in the bucket and then the bucket and then add water? add water?

How will you define floating? Is anything off of the bottom floating? Does the How will you define floating? Is anything off of the bottom floating? Does the item item have to rise all the way to the top of the have to rise all the way to the top of the water? water?

Activity cont.Activity cont.

Step 7Step 7

Have the student compare the data Have the student compare the data they analyzed with their groups and then they analyzed with their groups and then with the whole class. with the whole class.

Post ActivityPost Activity(Answers must be written down and turned (Answers must be written down and turned in)in)

What objects sank?What objects sank?What objects floated?What objects floated?How true was your first predictions?How true was your first predictions?Did the objects that you placed in groups do the Did the objects that you placed in groups do the

same thing? (sink or float)same thing? (sink or float)What other objects would you like to try with this What other objects would you like to try with this

experiment?experiment?Ask them if their definitions now have changed to Ask them if their definitions now have changed to

what they had wrote down earlier. (slide 3)what they had wrote down earlier. (slide 3)Ask the students to reanswer the questions from Ask the students to reanswer the questions from

the pre-activity.the pre-activity.

ResourcesResources

Standard indicator Standard indicator http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspxAcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx

ActivityActivity

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.php?DocIhttp://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.php?DocID=125D=125

DefinitionsDefinitions

http://www.thefreedictionary.comhttp://www.thefreedictionary.comWorksheetWorksheet

http://http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/pdfs/sinkit_actsheet.pdfwww.sciencenetlinks.com/pdfs/sinkit_actsheet.pdf