Center Focus

To Float or Not To Float

  1. Provide students with various ordinary objects that will either float or sink. For example: various rocks, piece of wood, thin piece of plastic (credit card, ID), various coins, etc.
  2. Have a worksheet with three columns:
    • one for a picture of the object
    • one for their hypothesis
    • one for the actual outcome.
  3. Have students work as a group or individually.
  4. Have center set up near sink or have a large bin for water available.
  5. Students will predict the outcomes, test their predictions and record the actual outcomes.
  6. Have an area on the worksheet for them to write their reasonings for the outcomes.