Sink or Float? Experiments (FLEX)

In this 4-week FLEX course, students will experiment, predict, and observe which objects sink or float. 

- We will use a variety of objects, such as pennies, puff balls, rocks, and decorative stones to test our experiment. We will place these objects, in varying numbers, inside different vessels (such as plastic eggs, plastic/paper cups, balloons, and some handmade containers made from paper, cardboard, and/or plastic). We will label our vessels so we know what item are inside and how many of that item, this way we can compare which ones float and which ones sink . We will also try out different liquids to see if that makes a difference (such as water, vinegar, soda, and thicker substances like dissolved baking soda and cornstarch). 

- Students will predict which items they think are more likely to sink and which ones are more likely to float. They will think about the vessel and what material would work the best to keep the items from sinking. We will also discuss how much of an item we think will cause the vessel to sink. We will share our thoughts on if and why the type of liquid would make a difference.

- We will attempt to make the vessel complete the opposite action as well. So, if it sinks we will try to make the vessel light enough to float and if it floats we will attempt to make it sink. We will use trial and error to test our theories, engaging in some aspects of the scientific method. 

Each week will focus on a different type of vessel material. 

Week #1: plastic eggs (or any plastic container)
Week #2: balloons (or other latex type material like medical gloves) and other thin materials (such as saran wrap and tissue paper)
Week #3: cardboard (such as on cup of an egg carton, a small carton of milk, or a small cardboard box)
Week #4: handmade item (students will take everything they learned from the last 3 weeks and use that to create their own vessel that they think will allow the items to float) 

Book List:
The Science of Animal Movement: How Fish Swim By: Emma Huddleston
Let's Try It Out: in the Water By: Seymour Simon, Nicole Fauteux  Illustrated by: Doug Cushman
Floating or Sinking By: Julie K. Lundgren
What Floats? What Sinks?: A Look at Density By: Jennifer Boothroyd

Videos:
Do You Know?
Shark Buoyancy
Buoyancy

- Throughout this class, students will engage with their peers through the use of Kahoots! and class wide games like Jeopardy! and BINGO. Nearpod will also be utilized to demonstrate what students have learned, engage in virtual field trips, and allow for classmate interaction. 

- Students will also post their completed crafts and assignments for their classmates to comment on. Students will follow along with various crafts such as coloring pages, multimedia crafts, informative diagrams, cut and paste crafts, and so much more! We will engage in activities such as interactive google presentations, mini info books, and super exciting experiments! 

- Also shared in the classroom will be exciting videos for students to watch and learn from, guided questions will be attached to each video. 

- Anchor charts will be used as visuals.