Curated OER
The Science of a Historic Sinking
Incorporate science investigations to expand pupils' understanding of the Titanic.
Curated OER
The Magical Diving Sub
First graders discuss and predict if a given object sinks or floats. They record their predictions on a data sheet. Pupils test the objects and organize them into floating/sinking groups. Students observe the floating and sinking of a...
Curated OER
Floating and Sinking - An Investigation
A simple and effective presentation could be helpful for your young scientists. Learners consider whether or not a piece of wood, glass, cork, brick, and ice will float or sink when placed in water. After the class has made their...
Curated OER
Leaky Seal
Junior high schoolers explore possible theories for the cause of the Hunley submarine sinking. Through hands on activities, they investigate how to create a waterproof seal. Afterwards, they discuss how seals work and various...
Curated OER
What's The Matter: A Sinker or Floater?
Students conduct an experiment. In this water lesson, students watch the lesson "Float and Sink" on an interactive website. Students learn how to test items in water and then work in groups to test their items. Students discuss their...
Curated OER
1st Grade - Act. 19: Will it Float?
First graders drop items into water, and discuss why some things float and others sink.
Curated OER
Sink or Float?
Young scholars make and test predictions about sinking and floating, and classify objects according to whether they sink or float.
Curated OER
Condiment Diver: The World's Simplest Cartesian Diver
Middle schoolers examine buoyancy. In this density lesson students form a hypothesis, collect data and draw a conclusion using the data.
Curated OER
Floating and Sinking
In this early physics worksheet, students cut out pictures of 16 everyday objects. Students determine whether each of the objects will float or sink and then paste the pictures in the appropriate boxes.
Curated OER
Floating and Sinking Experiment Plan
In this early physics worksheet, students respond to 4 short answer questions regarding a "float and sink" experiment they conducted.
Curated OER
Density
Second graders watch a demonstration and complete an experiment to determine how an objects' density allows it to float or sink. They work in small groups to assimilate the characteristics of items that float as opposed to simply...
Curated OER
Sink or Float Experiment
Learners participate in an experiment to determine which objects float or sink. They use different amounts of salt for the objects and discover as the salt content increases, objects will float. They record their predictions and what...
Curated OER
Density
Ninth graders predict when an object will sink or float based on comparison of the density of the object to the density of the substance in which it is placed.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Buoyancy Brainteasers: Buoyancy Question
This interactive brainteaser from the NOVA: "Voyage of Doom" Web site challenges you to figure out what causes an object to sink.
University of Florida
Florida Museum of Natural History: Investigating Water
This guide engages children in the process of scientific inquiry using the context of a favorite early childhood pastime-water play.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Density in Solutions: How Can You Make an Egg Float?
In this activity, students 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. They...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Bowling Balls: Will They Sink or Will They Float?
Students will investigate what determines whether a material will sink or float. They will be given a bowling ball and have to make measurements and conclusions on whether their bowling ball will float, hover, or sink when placed in an...
PBS
Pbs: Buoyancy Basics
NOVA explores the basic principle of buoyancy. Also included at this site are some interesting brain-teasers related to the topic.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Submarine Race Experiment
Balance the force of gravity with the force of the expanding gasses created by mixing baking soda and vinegar. Create a soda bottle submarine that sinks to the bottom of the bathtub and then rises back to the surface.
HotChalk
Hot Chalk: Lesson Plans Page: Sink or Float?
This lesson plan is designed to have young children explore the concept of sinking vs. floating by using the skills of prediction, observation and classification.