Science, Science, Science!

I love science. I love frogs. I am a “get your hands dirty” kind of  teacher. Being a mother of three boys was right up my alley. Over the years the boys and I have participated in different studies for The Department of Agriculture. Our favorite study to participate in was collecting data about frogs. We collected frogs near drainage pipes, streams, ponds, & lakes observing & charting patterns of mutations. This was a very interesting study for us. We learned plenty from participating and it opened up the opportunity to talk about why we were seeing patterns of mutations and deformities in frogs and other animals we caught. We collected the data and sent It back to The Department of Agriculture. It also created a spark to love science.

This month we have dedicated to science on top of all of our other agenda items. The month will be jammed pack full of science trips & experiments. It will be an explosive month! This particular week we have decided to dive down to the deepest depths of the oceans and explore the animals that live there, learn about the different zones of the ocean, how many kilometers of ocean there is in the world, and explore how scientists measure the depth of the ocean using sonar.

We will be conducting a series of experiments. These hands on activities include: density tests and creating replicas of ocean tides and waves.

Density Experiments:

(image from google)

Materials:

1. 2 16 oz clear glasses or 2 16 oz clear glass bowls

2. 2 cups of warm water to fill each bowl 1/2 way

3. 1/4 c of salt (dissolve in warm water before experiment)

4. two raw eggs

Before conducting the experiment describe to the children what the experiment requires. What you will be trying to figure out. Ask for their thesis. Have them write their thesis down before the experiment. After the experiment have them write whether their thesis was correct or not.

Directions: Fill each bowl 1/2 way with warm water. Measure about 6 TSP of salt and pour into 1 of the bowls. Place one of the eggs into the bowl without the salt. Discuss with the children what it does. Does it sink or does it float? Drop the other egg into the bowl with the salt. Discuss with the children what it does. Does it sink or does it float?

Compare and contrast the two eggs. Ask why you they think one floated and one didn’t. Explain to the children that the egg sank in the fresh water because it had greater density. The egg floated in the salt water because when salt is added to water its density becomes greater that that of the egg. That makes the egg float.

Re-creating the tides and currents:

Before conducting the experiment describe to the children what the experiment requires. What you will be trying to figure out. Ask for their thesis. Have them write their thesis down before the experiment. After the experiment have them write whether their thesis was correct or not.

Materials:

1. 2 pie pans

2. 2 cups of water

3. 2 TSP oregano or parsley

4. 1 straw

5. globe

Directions: Fill pan 3/4 way full with water. Add 1 tsp of oregano on the water. Using the straw have the children blow across the pan of water, starting from one side of the pan and blowing across the middle.

Discuss what was observed. Did the water ripple? Did the air blow the parsley (oregano) around the pan? Explain to the children that the water in the ocean moves all of the time because the wind moves it and forms the oceans surface into waves. You can begin discussing the names of currents and point on the globe where these currents cross the oceans.

On top of all of the hands on experiments we will be watching videos about submarine explorations, cave divers, and creepy creatures in the dark waters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1wf8b6hzlm

Fun games to play that incorporate ocean exploration:

http://games.noaa.gov/oscar/welcome.html

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/nautical_charts/makechart.html

http://games.noaa.gov/seaturtle/welcome.html

On top of our math assignments we will be calculating the total volume of the ocean, the average depth of the ocean, and the greatest depth of the ocean. We will be categorizing oceans by saltiness and total area of water.

Whew! This will be a fun month!

I believe it was a unanimous decision to explore volcanoes next week! Stay tuned.

If you have questions or suggestions please leave them in the comments section. Look forward to hearing you!

Thanks!