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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Do Some Things Float?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students recognize that density determines whether objects sink or float.  In this sink or float lesson, students experiment with plastic in three liquids. students drop their objects into the liquids and observe and record their results.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physical Science- Sink or Float?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners investigate which objects sink and which ones float. Learners engage in an experiment, make predictions, and record results on a graphic organizer. This is a comprehensive and easy to follow resource.
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Activity
US Department of Agriculture

Sink or Float?

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd Standards
Will it sink or will it float? Learners predict the outcome as they drop random objects into a container of water. Then, they keep track of the results and record the data in a t-chart to draw a final conclusion.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Will It Sink or Float?

For Teachers 3rd
Learners conduct a science experiment to determine whether a variety of objects will sink or float. They discuss the concept of density, and then make predictions about whether the objects will sink or float. They then conduct the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Will It Sink Or Float?

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Have your class predict whether objects will sink or float in water. Learners consider a data table of mass, volume and whether the object sank or floated. They develop an evidence-based explanation for the results.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sink or Float?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sink or Float

For Teachers K - 2nd
Using a variety of objects, learners conduct buoyancy experiments. They make predictions on which object will sink or float and test their predictions. They use a graphic organizer to record their findings.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Weighty Issue

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Want to get your students motivated in science class? Given only a piece of aluminum foil, assign groups the task of designing a "barge" that will support the weight of a bunch of pennies.  The group who is able to put the most pennies...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Which Objects Will Sink or Float?

For Teachers 1st
First graders work in cooperative groups and utilize a variety of materials to test objects ability to sink or float. In this sink or float lesson, 1st graders discover why some object sink and others float. Students will graph results...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Will it SINK or Float?

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students predict whether objects will sink or float in water. They classify objects as sinking or floating in water. Students identify and explain similarities between objects that sink and float.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sink or Float

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore items that sink or float. They cut and glue pictures of objects that they predict will sink or float. Students place thir pictures on a picture of a bucket of water. Students then color the objects that they had...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sink or Float

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders sort objects into those they think will float and those that will sink and test their predictions. They experiment with clay molding it into shapes that float. They place pennies in them until they sink. They test other...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I've Got That Sinking Feeling

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design a simple boat and predict how much weight it can carry. They should also discover why objects float or sink and how this can be determined experimentally. A great lesson on buoyancy!
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Activity
DiscoverE

Action Figure Diver

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Will your next buoyancy lab rise to the occasion? Make a splash with action figure divers! Teams of young physicists explore the relationship between mass and buoyancy by adding weights or balloons to achieve a diver that neither sinks...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Buoyancy-Why Things Float

For Students 8th - 10th
In this buoyancy worksheet, students read about the principles behind objects floating including density, buoyancy and Archimedes' Principle. Students complete a buoyancy lab where they use a balloon and water and a film canister and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can You Make A Penny Float?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the concept of density by trying to make a penny and other materials float.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Buoyancy: What will float and what will sink

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students write and explain why an object sinks or floats.  In this buoyancy lesson students demonstrate how items float or sink and graph the results. 
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Lesson Plan
DiscoverE

Foil Boats

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
How many pennies can an aluminum foil boat hold? That is the challenge in a collaborative activity designed to explore the concept of buoyancy. Learners use aluminum foil to build makeshift boats and test the weight they hold before...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Density

For Teachers 2nd
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does the USS Alabama Float?

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars investigate buoyancy. In this buoyancy instructional activity, students apply the Archimedes Principle of Buoyancy to the experiment conducted in class to determine how battleships float.
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Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Buoyancy Bulls-Eye

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Why does a seastar sink, but a jellyfish float? Through a fun investigation, learners examine the concept of buoyancy using simple household items. The challenge: create neutral buoyancy for an action figure in water. With ample teacher...
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Activity
PBS

Watercraft

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Whatever floats your boat—with some additional weight. The first activity in a five-part series challenges pupils to design a boat to hold pennies. Using the design process, learners design, build, and test their boats, making sure they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designing and Floating Boats

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students participate in an experiment to determine if a toy boat will sink or float. They make the boats out of different materials and determine its carrying capacity by adding pennies. They graph their findings on a classroom graph.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solve a Problem: Build a Boat

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students build a boat that float and hold as many pennies as possible, then discuss the process of building the boat and relate the experience to experiences they encounter in life.