Everyday Buoyancy
A Guided Inquiry Lesson
This lesson plan may be used to address the academic standards listed below. These National Science Education Standards are drawn from Content Knowledge for Force and Motion. The science subject matter focuses on the science facts, concepts, principles, theories, and models that are important for all students to know, understand, and use.
Subject: Science; Grade 3
Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to experiment with clay to recognize what makes something float.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Given the materials, the students will predict which everyday materials will float and which will sink. Drop each object in the water and record results.
2. Given the materials, the students will make the necessary modifications to keep objects afloat through trial and error.
3. Given the materials, the students will draw their modifications and explain their findings.
4. Given the materials, the students will answer questions about buoyancy with 80% accuracy.
Prior Knowledge: Students know the attractive force between molecules is called cohesion and the weight of water gives it pressure. An object floats higher in the ocean than in freshwater. When objects like boats are placed in water, they displace (push out of the way) some of the water. If an object placed in water weighs the same as the amount of water the object displaces, then the object floats.
Materials:
· Container
· Water
· Balls of clay
· Paper
· Crayons
· Everyday materials that float or sink (for example: potato, golf ball, pencil, etc.)
Behavior Expectations: Today we will be performing an experiment. Some of the materials we are going to use are messy. I expect you to be careful and abide by the safety rules when using the materials. I expect the proper clean-up after the experiment.
Motivation: What is buoyancy? Buoyancy makes things float. Boats, ducks, and surfboards are all buoyant. Can you think of other objects which might be buoyant?
Data Collection:
· The materials manager will pick up the materials.
· The investigator will perform the experiment molding the clay to float in the water.
· The data collector will record the results by drawing a picture.
· The reporter will share with the class the group’s results.
Debriefing and Checking for Understanding:
Data Processing:
1. What is buoyancy?
2. Describe what happened when the ball of clay was dropped into the water.
3. How did the group achieve its goal with the shape which made it buoyant?
4. What were the predictions and results of everyday materials in water?
5. Reporter shares group’s results with the class, including sharing the boat molded out of clay.
6. Materials manager will return all materials to designated area.
Appraisal: Teacher will circulate during the group’s discoveries for informal observations. Teacher will appraise the student’s data processing sheets with 80% mastery.
Extended Practice: Perform experiment using a 2-liter soda bottle with holes in it connected to a tube (usually the tubing for a fish tank). The students can blow in the tube and watch the bottle rise out of the container of water. This is how submarines float and sink.
References:
Davis, S. (2004) Science Methods, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Science/SCI0025.html
http://www.billnye.com
Additional Readings:
A Drop of Water: Book of Science and Wonder by Walter Wick
The Magic School Bus Ups and Downs: A Book about Floating and Sinking (Magic School Bus (Library) by Joanna Cole
The Amazing Book of Paper Boats by Jerry Roberts
By Water's Edge: A Children's Book by Kay Barone
Data Processing
What is buoyancy? / Describe what happened when the ball of clay was dropped into the water.Draw the shape of the clay which made it buoyant. / Predictions:
Sink Float
Results:
Sink Float