Whatever floats your boat. Young engineers learn about density by measuring the masses and volumes of boxes filled with different materials. Using their knowledge of densities, they hypothesize whether objects with given densities will...

Investigators construct a makeshift balance and compare equal volumes of wax and water. They do the same for clay and water. Then they discover whether the wax and clay will float or sink in water. Ultimately this is a comparison of...

Pique interest in water pressure, demonstrate buoyancy, and explore water displacement concepts with a homemade Cartesian diver. You may want to change the name of the toy, however, as is is not documented the Rene Descartes actually...

Create a cushion of carbon dioxide gas to float some soap bubbles on. Many concepts can be demonstrated through this activity: Carbon dioxide gas is more dense than air Bubbles are semipermeable, allowing only carbon dioxide to diffuse...

After reading about the history and science of personal floatation devices, patents, and intellectual property, engineering teams design a life vest for a can of soup. To evaluate which groups considered the need for waterproofing, hold...

I'm sure you've heard that there are something like 20 tablespoons of sugar in a can of regular soda. It seems unbelievable, doesn't it? This demonstration really does show how much sugar is present in a can of soda. First, Spangler...

Here is an engaging demonstration of density that you can do with your young physical scientists. Place different rough surfaced objects into carbonated liquid. The carbon dioxide bubbles collect on the surface of the objects and...

I'm sure you've heard that there are something like 20 tablespoons of sugar in a can of regular soda. It seems unbelievable, doesn't it? This demonstration really does show how much sugar is present in a can of soda. First, Spangler...

Here is an engaging demonstration of density that you can do with your young physical scientists. Place different rough surfaced objects into carbonated liquid. The carbon dioxide bubbles collect on the surface of the objects and...

Weight of displaced liquid equals the weight of a floating object. Archimedes' Principle is carefully demonstrated and explained in this science video. The quality is acceptable and the instruction sound. Not exciting, but it is a...

Put the pressure on as your class endeavors to construct an indestructible submersible! By watching a video, participating in class discussions, and the applying the complete scientific process, learners design a capsule that is slightly...

Students extend their understanding of floating, sinking, density, and buoyancy and apply it to the design and testing of ships. students discover that most ships are constructed very similarly-whether they are schooners or destroyers.

Mixing substances together causes their properties to change. This resource illustrates that concept for fifth graders by having them consider four questions that have to do with buoyancy and boiling point. Learners begin to understand...

Here is a great hands-on activity that should lead to a greater understanding of salt water, why the ocean is salty, and how ocean waves are formed. This terrific, old-school lesson has clearly described activities, and all of the...

Tiny scientists test a variety of materials for their ability to float. They draw and describe the properties of each material. There are 10 activity sheets to be filled out, which may be too time consuming for kindergartners. Perhaps a...

Students predict and test different items to see if they sink or float. In this sink and float lesson plan, students predict whether an item is buoyant or not, and learn that size and weight do not matter when it comes to buoyancy.

This is a brief survey of the states and properties of matter directed toward upper elementary physical scientists. Solids and liquids are compared. Density and buoyancy are related. Use this presentation just prior to demonstrating...

Students use materials found at a resource table to design simple devices that will house instruments to take water samples from a tub of water. They design 3 instruments, each varying in density so that one will float, one will hover...

Students design and build a floating vessel with its own propulsion system that will carry cargo across a wading pool.

This open-ended boat building exercise is meant to be part of a three-lesson series on ships. Links to the other two lessons are included. This particular part is mostly a group lab activity in which they build a boat, find its load line...

Oceanographers participate in a memorable hands on experience about buoyancy. They build a model of a submersible using a plastic bottle and a balloon. Afterward, they answer assessment questions. An answer key and some terrific...

Combine science and literature with this activity on buoyancy. Read There's an Ant in Anthony by Bernard Most to examine words containing the letters a, n, and t. Then introduce your class to the word "buoyant." Demonstrate how an egg...

Use this resource to discuss the Archimedes Principle and buoyancy in your classroom.  Learners use modeling clay to make, test, and record water data and analyze this principle. They come up with ideas to make the ball of clay float,...

Learners discover buoyancy by creating model boats.  In this water science lesson, students discover the physical properties of water and how floating is possible with large ships by building model boats from recycled materials....