Will It Sink or Float?
The classic water experiment: predict for each object, test it in a bowl, and discover why some things float.
โฑ๏ธ Micro Plan โ 4 short parts ยท about 15 min in total
- 1The Question4 min
- 2Predict4 min
- 3Experiment & Discover4 min
- 4Reflect3 min
๐ฏ Learning objectives
After completing this lesson, the child should be able to:
- Make a prediction for each object before testing
- Sort objects into sinkers and floaters
- Begin to see why airy things float and solid things often sink
โ Question
Will it sink or will it float?
๐ Observation
Collect about eight objects: a spoon, a cork or wooden block, a stone, a plastic bottle cap, a small toy, a leaf, a coin, a sponge. Look at each one and feel how heavy it is.
๐ฎ Prediction
For each object, guess out loud: sink or float? Sort them into two piles โ your sinker pile and your floater pile. No peeking at the water yet!
๐งช Exploration
Fill a bowl with water. Drop the objects in one by one. Watch each one carefully before moving to the next.
๐ Discovery
Which pile was right? The cork floats, the coin sinks โ but did anything surprise you? A heavy-looking wooden block floats, and an empty bottle floats too!
๐ก Explanation
Light, airy things float because they trap air. Heavy solid things often sink. And a huge ship floats because it is full of air inside! It is not about being big โ it is about what is inside.
โ๏ธ Practice
Test your new skill in the Sink or Float Quiz. Then print the Prediction Sheet and test ten new objects from around the house.
๐ช Reflection
Which prediction surprised you the most? What would happen to a sponge after it soaks up water โ sink or float? Guess, then test. You know the drill now!
๐งช Materials for this experiment
A bowl of water ยท 8 small objects from around the house ยท a towel for splashy hands ยท your best guesses