Science Challenge Activity

UEN Core: 1st grade science, Standard 3, Objective 1b- Compare objects that float and sink in water.

Plan:
My activity revolves around making predictions about whether 10 classroom objects will float or sink in water. The students will then test their predictions by filling a beaker or graduated cylinder with a 100 mL of water, putting each object one at a time in the water, and observing whether or not the objects float or sink in the water. They will record both their predictions and observations using Kidspiration. (While there is a "sink or float" activity already created in Kidspiration, I plan to create my own outline so that students can record their predictions as well as their observations.) The students will record their predictions by moving the pictures of the objects into "float" or "sink" categories. After conducting the experiment, students will then re-classify the objects into "float" or "sink" by dragging another copy of the pictures into the observation boxes.
To further explore, students will then complete a VenDiagram, comparing and contrasting the objects that float and sink. Students will then further explore and analyze their data by forming a hypothesis about what makes an object buoyant or not. Students will have access to rulers, scales, magnifying glasses, and other tools to further measure and explore their objects to discover new similarities and differences. After forming and futher testing their hypothesis, the class will come together and share what they've learned.