These three science activities are perfect for home science studies.
When I did them with Mr 5 we used them as a focus for increasing vocabulary.
With another child I am tutoring aged 8 I use the three question model and he writes to me on Seesaw. The three questions are
-What do you see?
-What do you think (happened)?
-What do you wonder (this involves them asking a question)?
PEPPER WATER
You need
- A small bowl
-Water
-Pepper
-Dishwashing liquid
1) Fill a small bowl with 2cm , an inch of water
2) Sprinkle pepper over the top
3) Place a small amount of dishwashing liquid on your finger. Place your finger into the water. Watch what happens
The Science:
The pepper floats as it is very light. It doesn't dissolve.
Why does the water move to the side with the dishwashing liquid? Soap is able to break down the surface tension of water. As the soap moves into the water, and the surface tension changes, the pepper no longer floats on top.
ABSORB OR NOT?
You need
-A collection of items that do and do not absorb water
- A teaspoon
- A jar of water
1) Discuss what the word 'absorb' means
2) Introduce the items ask whether they will absorb water. We had some confusion with the plastic container as it can hold water.
3) Get the teaspoon and transfer water onto an item. Wait. See what happens.
4) Repeat with different items noting what they do or do not absorb.
5) As an extension discuss what might happen if these items were in the ocean, how might this affect animals who have to swim through rubbish?
The Science: Dependent on what an object is made of it may repel (send away) liquid or absorb (take in) water.
MAKE A LAVA LAMP
You need:
A transparent cup or glass
Another small bowl or cup
Vegetable or cooking oil
Vinegar
Baking Soda
Food Colouring
1) Add 3 teaspoons of baking soda to the bottom of the cup
2) Fill two-thirds of the cup up with oil. Do not stir.
3) In the other bowl or cup put together a small amount of vinegar and food colouring, enough so that it will fill up the last third of the cup.
4) Pour the food colouring cup's contents into the first cup.
5) Observe
The Science:
Oil and vinegar do not have the same density. Vinegar is denser than the oil. The oil sinks to the bottom.
Once the vinegar touches the bottom of the container, it reacts with the baking soda. This chemical reaction creates bubbles of carbon dioxide.
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Science Experiments For After The First Great Story