Curated OER
The Earth's Magnetic Field
Pupils explain how the earth's magnetic field works and looks. They create
their own free-floating compass using the everyday materials. After constructing their compass, they test it and determine north.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Surface Tension Lab
Students extend their understanding of surface tension by exploring the real-world engineering problem of deciding what makes a "good" soap bubble. Student teams first measure this property, and then use this measurement to determine the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Break the Tension
Students learn about and experiment with the concept of surface tension. How can a paper clip "float" on top of water? How can a paper boat be powered by soap in water? How do water striders "walk" on top of water? Why do engineers care...
Hunkins Experiments
Hunkin's Experiments: Surface Tension
Hunkin's Experiments is a group of simple cartoon illustrations of scientific principles. Some would work well in the classroom, but others have little value beyond entertaining students. All of the projects are easy to do. These two are...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Surface Tension
A simple experiment investigating surface tension and the cohesive property of water, using just water, pepper, and liquid soap.
Science Fun for Everyone
Science Fun: Surface Tension Art
Watch Scientist Joe fashion art out of water, paint, and surface tension. Links to video of the experiment.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Floating Paper Clips Experiment
Explore surface tension in water by making a paper clip float.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Soap Powered Boat Experiment
Examine surface tension by floating an index card that has been cut into a boat shape on water, then dropping liquid soap near the "engine" section of the index card.
Bill Nye
Bill Nye: Float Your Metal Boat
This experiment from Bill Nye shows that breaking the surface tension of a body of water can provide enough energy to propel a boat (or an insect!).
Michigan Reach Out
University of Michigan: Paper Clip Sailing
Basic experiment that helps learners learn about surface tension.
Education.com
Education.com: Alicia Danyali: Break the Tension: A Water Experiment
[Free Registration/Login Required] Investigate one of water's most important traits, surface tension with this simple experiment that only requires 6 basic household items.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Salt and Pepper Experiment
Demonstrate surface tension by sprinkling pepper on a bowl full of water, then touching a soapy finger to the water.
Science Struck
Science Struck: The Concept and Meaning of Capillary Action
Defines capillary action and discusses its applications. The physics of surface tension, cohesion, and adhesion are explained and a simple experiment is provided. Includes a number of examples where capillary action takes place.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Bubble Ology
Making your own bubble solution is fun, but sometimes the bubbles don't seem to work as well as the solutions you buy in the store. In this experiment you can test if adding corn syrup or glycerin to your bubble solution will make it...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Exploring Capillary Action
Students observe multiple examples of capillary action. First they observe the shape of a glass-water meniscus and explain its shape in terms of the adhesive attraction of the water to the glass. Then they study capillary tubes and...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Bubble Tray: Create Giant Bubbles
With this fun bubble tray experiment, students create giant bubbles and learn about surface tension and light interference.
Bill Nye
Bill Nye: Float You Metal Boat
Try this at-home science experiment to learn how surface tension makes things move.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Students as Scientists
This curricular unit contains two lessons that let students actually do the work of scientists as they design their own experiments to answer questions they generate. In the first lesson and its associated activity, students conduct a...
Fundación Cientec
Cientec: Quimica
Simple step by step experiments that will allow students to venture in the world of Chemistry. Students can explore transformations of matter and interactions among its components, such as oxidation, surface tension, solutions and more.
Science Fun for Everyone
Science Fun: Snow Fluff
Watch Scientist Joe demonstrate how to make snow in your kitchen in this video presentation.
Bill Nye
Bill Nye: Penny Droplets
Try this at-home science experiment to learn about the forces of gravity, cohesion, and adhesion.
Science Bob Pflugfelder
Science Bob: Build a Soap Powered Model Boat
Science Bob presents instructions for a science demonstration of how to build a soap-powered model boat using common supplies with information on how it works.