Inquiry Tools Explore ACTIVITY

Tools for Measuring

  1. measuring tape - measures around things so you can find its circumference, helps

measure irregular shapes

DO - measure the stuffed animal’s waist and record the measurement in the table

  1. ruler - measures length/distance in inches & feet -or- in millimeters & centimeters

DO - measure the long side of your desk and record the measurement in the table

  1. graduated cylinder - measures liquids using milliliters

DO - using the colored water in the water bottle, measure and record the amount in the bottle using milliliters, and record the measurement in the table

  1. dropper - is used to measure tiny amounts of liquids

DO - using 10 milliliters of colored water from the jar measure and record the number of drops in the table

  1. measuring cup - is used to measure liquids and is sometimes used when you cook

DO - using the colored water in the water bottle measure and record the amount in the bottle to the nearest 1/4 cup

DO - record the amount in the bottle on the table

  1. beaker - sometimes made of glass and frequently used in chemistry labs, to measure and heat liquids

or mixtures.

DO - using the colored water in the bottle, measure and record the amount in the bottle and record the amount on the table

Tool / Object / Measurement
measuring tape / stuffed animal / _____ inches
ruler / desk / _____ inches & _____centimeters
graduated cylinder / colored water in bottle / _____ milliliters
dropper / 10 milliliters of colored water / _____ drops
measuring cup / colored water in bottle / _____ cups to the nearest 1/4 cup
beaker / colored water in bottle / ______milliliters

Tools for Observation & Handling

  1. hand lens - makes things look larger (magnifies things you can hold in your hand)

DO - take a penny from the science bucket and draw what it looks like without using the hand lens in the first circle

DO - now look at the penny with the hand lens, draw what it looks like now in the second circle

DO - then on the line provided, describe how they appear different

______

  1. forceps - lets you pick up a sharp/prickly object without getting hurt or a

small/delicate object without breaking it

DO - practice picking up some of the smaller items found in the tub (rice grain, raisin, marble, toothpick, penny, etc.)

DO - Did it make it easier or harder to pick up items? Describe your experience.

______

  1. magnifying box - also known as a bug box, and it can be used to observe live insects

without letting them get away

DO - one member of your team can go up and get a live or dead insect from your teacher.

DO - draw and describe what you see below in the shape below

  1. microscope - makes objects you can't see with your eyes, look several times bigger

DO - first make your own slide following the directions below:

  1. Use a hole puncher to make a hole in 1/4 of an index card
  2. Place tape on one side of the opening, leaving the other side of the opening sticky.
  3. Take a strand of your hair and place it on the sticky opening until you can see it has stuck to the tape.
  4. Take another piece of tape and cover the strand.

DO - Take your slide to the microscope and take a look at your strand of hair. If you have trouble focusing, ask a friend to help, if you still have trouble, ask your teacher.

DO - Describe and draw what you see below.

Other Tools

  1. Thermometer - measures energy from the sun on an object...can measure the

temperature of the air or a liquid.

DO - one member of your team can go up and get 100ml warm water from the thermos

DO - another member of your team can go get 100ml of cold water from the jug

DO - write down the starting temperature of both thermometers

DO - place a thermometer in each glass and start the stop watch

DO - write down the temperature four times after every 15 seconds on the table provided

Cup / Start Temp in ºF / Temp in ºF after 15 seconds / Temp in ºF after 30 seconds / Temp in ºF after 45 seconds / Temp in ºF after 60 seconds
Ice Water
Hot Water
  1. Pan Balance - measures the mass of an object.

Mass is the amount of matterfound in an object.

DO - measure the stuffed animal, find out how much its mass is in grams, and record your findings

DO - now measure three marbles, find its mass, and record your findings

DO - compare the two measurements, which has more?

Stuffed Animal - ______grams Marbles - ______grams

Compare: ______

  1. Spring Scale - measures forces as in weight, also known as the pull of gravity.

DO - hook the stuffed animal to the scale and record the measurement in Newtons

DO - place the marbles in a plastic baggie and attach them to the scale, record the measurement in Newtons

Stuffed Animal - ______Newtons Marbles - ______Newtons

Your Turn!

Using the tools found in your bucket; find three ways to measure the height of your teammates. Record your results below.

Tool Used / Measurement