lecture / lab format and NOT what this is about.
Will it SINK or will
it FLOAT?
New to inquiry? New to enabling and allowing students to discover concepts?
Do you love to guide your students as they explore and learn?
Few science concepts
are as easily taught using inquiry than this.
Read about others who have done this and then
get your materials organized and go!
To 'tell' students what
to expect and let them experience it later is
lecture / lab format and NOT what this is about.
Science NetLinks AAAS American Association for the Advancement of Science
Will it Sink or Float?
You will need to collect supplies, I suggest storing them in
a large clear bag or box, clearly labeled.
Include things like sinking wood, floating wood, sinking rocks and rocks
that float - also at least 5
other items, such as wax, metal, cork, glass or
plastic foam. There is a supply kit
you can purchase online.
Students will surely have other ideas once they start exploring!
A
large, clear plastic container for demonstrations would be great. Reusing
plastic nut, cookie or pretzel containers can work well.
A box or stand to put
it on so everyone can see is also a good idea.
You will need to supply towels,
water and guidance.
Students should be ready with pencils, notebooks/learner logs or plain paper.
First, work with
students to form an operational definition of what it means to float.
This can be a demonstration that will also serve to show students the proper
procedures and clean up routine.
Use a piece of foil, sinking clay or a dry paper clip. Form the malleable item
into a shallow 'cup' so that it 'sits' on the surface of the water. A dry, clean
paperclip can be gently placed on the surface of the water so that surface
tension keeps it up.
Ask students to observe what happens when you put the object you choose in the
water.
Then, ask them to predict what might happen if you pushed the item in the water
to the bottom of the container. Record predictions and try it! Lignum
Vitae wood. manipulative
Then, after you form your investigation's
operational definition of 'sink' and everyone copies it...
EXPLORE! Recording observations is a key responsibility when investigating
science concepts.
Have
students predict and record observations as they explore various materials.
Using mostly common materials is the best way to make the transfer of science
content knowledge and process skills to the 'real world'.
- Elementary students can predict, write predictions, investigate (try it!),
describe what happens & record observations. Older students
should record explanations of their predictions as well.
- Middle or high school students can do the same, and then explore the concepts
of volume, mass and density.
Everyone can infer and extrapolate!
Save the sinking wood or floating rocks and introduce them as discrepant events
or as part of a formative or summative assessment. Discrepant events stretch our
thinking and make learning fun!
Let the questions begin!
en
Nina Visconti-Phillips