It's summertime, it's hot, and we are thinking all about WATER!
Kids naturally love playing with water, so why not extend their experiences by showing them some cool water experiments?
Don't forget to teach students of all ages the four key elements of the Scientific Method:
1. Ask a question. Let this question be as simple or as complex as you like.
2. Make a hypothesis. Write it down, or simply talk about what you think will happen.
3. Experiment! Test your hypothesis and try new things.
4. Analysis. What happened? Why do you think your experiment turned out the way it did?
Experiment #1: How to Create a Cloud
1. Pour hot water into a jar, and swirl it around a bit to warm up the sides.
2. Turn the jar lid upside down and place it on the top of the jar. Place several ice cubes onto the lid, and allow it to rest on the top of the jar for about 20 seconds.
3. Remove the lid and quickly spray a bit of hairspray into the jar, then replace the lid with the ice still on top. Watch the cloud form!
4. When you see a good amount of condensation form, remove the lid and watch the cloud escape into the air.
Photo and idea by giftofcuriousity.com
Experiment #2: Understanding Water Filtration
1. Collect some dirty water, or make your own dirty water mixture yourself with dirt and leaves.
2. Cut a hole at the bottom of an empty cup, then line the bottom with coffee filters. Place a layer of clean sand in the filter, then a layer of gravel.
3. Pour the dirty water into a new jar with your filtration system placed over it. Voila! Clean water!
4. Try adding other things to your dirty water like oil or food colouring. What happens?
Photo and idea by teachbesideme.com
Experiment #3: How to Make Bubble Snakes
1. Cut off the bottom of a water bottle.
2. Slide a sock over the end of the water bottle, covering the whole bottle. Fold back the extra sock to reveal the mouth of the bottle.
3. Put a 1/2 cup of water in a cup and squeeze in some dish soap. Experiment with the amount of water and dish soap.
4. Dip the sock end of your bottle into the soap mixture, then blow on the mouth of the bottle to create your bubble snakes! Who can make the longest snake? Add food colouring to your mixture for colourful snakes!
Photo and idea by onelittleproject.com
Experiment #4: Balloon Powered Boats
This adorable idea can be found over at thecrafttrain.com
Experiment with different materials for your "boat", then race! This activity would be great in the pool, at the lake, in the bathtub, or at the water table.
Photo and idea by thecrafttrain.com