Science and Art Predictions

This Friday the art club learned how to chart predictions just like scientists. The lessons involved a bucket of water and five items. The items were a paperclip, a seashell, a piece of tissue paper, a sponge, and a cork. Using the chart, the students predicted if each of these items would float or sink. They then tested their predictions by placing the items in the bucket of water to see if it would sink or float. 

We had rich discussions about why certain items sank and why certain items would float. The students discovered that items that were light and filled with air and holes would float while other denser items, such as the seashell, would sink. The next part of the discussion was about which item would make the best material to build a boat. The class agreed that the cork would be the best.

After our experiments the students began to design their sail to attach to their cork boats. On the same paper as their predictions chart the students came up with a name, colors, and a design for their sail. I was so impressed with the variety of ideas form the students.

Next art class the students will assemble their cork boats by attaching three corks together with a rubber band and setting up the sail with a wooden skewer. We hope to fill a bath and race the boats!

 

photo resource of completed boat: http://mamapapabubba.com