Interactive
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Floating and Sinking: Hot Air Balloons

For Students 9th - 10th
Why do hot air balloons float? This resource from the NOVA Web site offers a series of interactive activities that illustrates the physics of hot air balloons.
Activity
Science is Fun

Science Is Fun: Bowling Balls Float or Sink?

For Students 6th - 8th
In this experiment, you test whether two different bowling balls will float or sink, then determine the density of each of the balls to see if they are less than that of water.
Lesson Plan
Better Lesson

Better Lesson: Floating and Sinking Sorting in Science

For Teachers K Standards
Students sort objects according to whether they sink or float.
Interactive
PBS

Pbs: Sesame Street: Science

For Students Pre-K - 1st
A collection of interactives, videos, and documents on a variety science concepts.
Activity
Science is Fun

Science Is Fun: Sinking and Floating Soda Cans

For Students 4th - 6th
An experiment to determine if either a regular or a diet can of soda will float or sink when placed in water, and what causes this.
Lesson Plan
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)

Smile: Density in Relation to Float and Sink

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students find the densities of objects based on sinking or floating in this activity that demonstrates Archimedes Principle.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: How Much Weight Can Your Boat Float?

For Students 3rd - 8th
Have you ever wondered how a ship made of steel can float? In this project you'll investigate how much weight boat hulls of various shapes and sizes can support without sinking.
Activity
Science is Fun

Science Is Fun: The Cartesian Diver

For Students 3rd - 5th
A simple experiment in buoyancy where you discover how to make a packet of sauce or candy float or sink at will, and why you are able to do this.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Density in Solutions: How Can You Make an Egg Float?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, young scholars will learn about density by determining how to make an egg float in water. By the end of the lesson, students will understand that density and weight are different and that density matters in floatation....
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Density of Solid Objects

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this science inquiry, students investigate whether volume or density of objects determine the floating or sinking in water. Using a rock and a block of wood teachers engage students in the discussion of density, mass and volume.
Activity
Science is Fun

Fun Science: Bowling Balls: Sink or Float?

For Students 9th - 10th
For a dramatic illustration of density check out this demonstration. It's simple to do, only requiring a bowling ball and some water.
Activity
Museum of Science

Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Design a Submarine

For Students 3rd - 9th
Become an engineer, and design a submarine that moves in the water like a real submarine. Try making it sink, float, and hover in the water.
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Condiment Diver

For Students 9th - 10th
Use a condiment packet as a Cartesian diver to show how pressure changes cause the "diver" to float, sink or hover.
Activity
Center of Science and Industry

Cosi Columbus: Buoyant Bubble [Pdf]

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn about density in this hands-on science experiment. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of what makes an object float or sink. [PDF]
Activity
Science is Fun

Science Is Fun: Dancing Raisins

For Students 4th - 8th
An experiment in buoyancy which involves making raisins float by using carbonated soda pop. Students then try the same test with other materials. Instructions for making one's own carbonated liquid are also provided.
Activity
Science is Fun

Fun Science: Sinking and Floating Soda Cans

For Students 9th - 10th
Why do some pop cans float in water while others don't? This easy experiment is a great example of the principle of density.
Activity
My Science Site

Density Demonstration: Coke vs. Diet Coke [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Help students brainstorm and find a solution as to why Diet Coke floats and Coke sinks. Student will learn to define what density is as they engage in this creative lab. This resource is in PDF form; requires Adobe Reader.
Activity
Staten Island Children's Museum

Staten Island Children's Museum: Sea of Boats

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Use this activity guide to discover about boats and learn some water science.
Activity
Bill Nye

Bill Nye: Eggs Speriment

For Students 1st - 5th
Try this at-home science experiment to learn if salt affects the way things float.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: What's the Matter: A Sinker or Floater?

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Students will explore matter that sinks or floats when submerged in water and that matter is categorized as either a sinker or a floater. Students will work actively in small, cooperative learning groups as well as gather in a whole...