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
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Floating and Sinking: Density

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This investigation introduces the concepts of volume, mass, and density and how they interact. Students will make predictions of whether an object will float or sink after finding mass and volume of an object.
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.
Lesson Plan
Google

The Engineering Place: Balloon Flinking [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
A lesson and activity sheet on buoyancy. Students add weight to a helium-filled balloon to keep it suspended so that it won't float or sink, but instead will 'flink.'
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Sink or Float: All Liquids Do Not Have the Same Density

For Teachers K - 1st
An experiment in density. After a review of floating and sinking of different materials, students test four bottles, all holding four ounces of water, to see if they will float or sink. They each contain a different density of sugar...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Bowling Balls: Will They Sink or Will They Float?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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...
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.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Solid and Liquid Density Investigation

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
For this activity, students investigate whether objects and liquids float or sink when placed in water. As they proceed, they will develop an understanding of what density is. Student handouts are provided.
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 Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Sink or Float? Inquiry Investigation

For Teachers K - 1st
For this activity, students make predictions about whether different objects float or sink, then test them. They are asked to record their observations and results for each, and compare their results to others'.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Sinking and Floating Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
An experiment in density where colored water, both hot and cold, are poured into containers of water at room temperature. Students will observe that the warm water rises and the cold water sinks due to their different densities.
Activity
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: "Does It Float?" an Inquiry Based Activity Investigating Buoyancy

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an inquiry-based activity in which students will need to work together as a class to solve the following problem: they must construct a "boat" entirely out of modeling clay that is capable of supporting 150 grams of cargo without...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Mn Step: Sinking Water: Glaciers, Ocean Currents and Weather Patterns

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A lesson where students learn how warm water is less dense than cold water, and what this means for global climate change as ice from the polar regions melts. Students will do experiments in buoyancy and water density when hot or cold,...
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
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Float or Sink?

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Students will define density and use the density formula to determine the density, volume, and mass of various items using the correct units for each measurement.
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.
Graphic
American Chemical Society

Middle School Chemistry: Density Sink and Float for Liquids

For Students 9th - 10th
See how different liquids can have different densities depending on their molecular make-up.
Interactive
Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology

Stevens Institute of Technology: Buoyancy Simulation

For Students 9th - 10th
By choosing the mass, size, and time, students can experiment with whether the block floats or sinks in this simulation. Students have the option to display the forces and add a second block to the tank. Density is also shown to allow...
Activity
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Submarine Race Experiment

For Students Pre-K - 1st
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.
Interactive
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Balloons & Buoyancy

For Students 9th - 10th
Students studying buoyancy will better understand its concepts with this virtual experiment using various balloons and testing what makes them float or sink.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigating Buoyancy, Density, and Fluid Principles: Make Mini Submarine

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lab, students will use the scientific method to design an experiment that explains how/why a submarine floats and sinks.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Water Activity

For Teachers K - 1st
Students investigate water by estimating how long it takes to freeze, then see if the ice cube will float in water, and eventually work with other items to see if they sink or float in water.
Lesson Plan
National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Nagt: Density Mystery Canisters

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students experiment with items that sink or float, and learn that water's density is equal to one, and objects/solutions with a density greater than one will sink, and those with a density less than one will float.

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