Curated OER
The Stone Boat Mystery
Students design and execute a lab through which they study the distinctions between density, buoyancy, and volume.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Determine Volume of Solids Using Water Displacement
Students explore math functions by completing math equation worksheets. In this inequality activity, students define a list of math terms and discuss the difference between an equation and inequality. Students utilize a real life...
NorthEast Ohio Geoscience Education Outreach
Introduction to Density
Seventh grade scientists weigh in on the concept of density. In a nutshell, they participate in the following activities:
Measurement of the mass and volume of fruit in order to compare densities
Measurement of the mass of oil and water...
Curated OER
Come On Down!
Begin with an introduction to famous deep-sea submersibles. Learners work in groups to gather information on different vessels and then share with the class. Each group then uses water displacement to help calculate the density of...
Curated OER
Fishy Physics
Learners explore how fish are able to move easily from one depth to another in water. In this fish lesson students create their own balloon fish.
US Environmental Protection Agency
Sea Level: On the Rise
With the global temperature on the rise, the effects of climate change are starting to be seen. However, many people have a difficult time conceptualizing the long-term effects, such as sea levels rising. Given an easy and effective...
Curated OER
Lung Limit
Students explore one's lung capacity, the human body, displacing volume of water with volume of air and spirometer use. Using simple math, students figure out their lung capacity by breathing into a bottle filled with water and...
Curated OER
Why Cheerios Don't Sink
Students investigate Archimedes' Principle and show how it relates to density. In this Archimedes' Principle lesson plan, students experiment with a beaker of water, a Styrofoam "boat" and a weight. They predict what will happen when the...
Curated OER
Estimating the Live Mass of Dinosaurs
High schoolers calculate the volume of scale model dinosaurs using a water displacement method. They use formulas to calculate the live mass each of the species of dinosaur. Then they complete and discuss a series of questions.
Curated OER
Marvelous Marbles
Students predict the change in water volume when adding marbles to a graduated cylinder. In this Chemistry lesson plan, students will need to make accurate water measurements to determine the fluid displaced by the marbles. The students...
Curated OER
Density Discoveries
Students participate in Density Discoveries, which is a hands-on learning opportunity for students to find the mass, volume, and density of solid matter.
Curated OER
Water Meter Reader
Students examine a water bill from their household and examine it to find out how much water is used each month. They read their home water meters at the same time of the day for seven days and then construct a graph using their data.
American Chemical Society
Defining Density
Three simple activities kick off a unit investigation of density. Your physical scientists make observations on the volume and mass of wood, water, and rocks, and make comparisons. Though this is written for grades three through eight,...
NOAA
Journey to the Unknown
What's it like to be a deep-sea explorer? Tap into the imaginations of your fifth and sixth graders with a vivid lesson, the second part of a six-part adventure. Learners close their eyes and submerge themselves in an expedition aboard...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Volume of Regular and Irregular Objects
Fifth graders examine patterns and relate to equations to solve math problems. In this patterns lesson, 5th graders diagram, graph, use models and use tables to solve equations for real world problems.
Curated OER
Could a World of Swimmers Raise Sea Level?
Students determine the volume of water they displace. In this earth science lesson plan, students calculate the total water displaced by the world's population. They evaluate whether or not this value is enough to raise the sea level...
Curated OER
Metric Mania
Students observe how to measure in metric units. In this investigative lesson students compare different units of volume to see how things are measured.
Illustrative Mathematics
Archimedes and the King's Crown
Learners will shout "Eureka!" in this quick but deep activity replicating the famous bathtub experiment of Archimedes. Given the scenario of a king with a suspected fake crown, young investigators develop formulas using density to...
Mr. Hill's Science Website
Density Workbook
It's all about density! Here's a dense workbook for young scientists; they solve (and show work for) 29 density word problems, including a problem where they solve for the density of Godzilla. They complete labs analyzing metal...
Curated OER
Student Exploration: Density Laboratory
In this density laboratory activity, students complete 2 prior knowledge questions, then use the "Density Laboratory Gizmo" to complete several activities, answering short answer questions when finished.
Curated OER
Chapter 16 Review- General Science
In this review of general science learning exercise, students classify examples of matter as mixtures or substances, homogeneous or heterogeneous mixtures, or elements or compounds. Students also convert several examples using the...
Curated OER
Everybody Needs a Rock
Here is a lesson plan that rocks! Young scientists choose a rock and list words that describe it. They estimate the mass of their rocks and rank them within a group. They measure their rocks for volume and write a story that somehow...
Curated OER
Volumw Measurement, English System
Eighth graders biew each volume container and discuss where they have seen them in their home, and how they have seen them used. They explore the different names of volume sizes and their equivalents towards one another. Students...
Curated OER
What Floats Your Boat?
Middle schoolers are introduced to the concept of buoyancy. The Video used in this lesson plan demonstrates and explains the characteristics of objects that sink and float. It presents the concepts of displacement, weight, and buoyancy.