Lesson Planning

Carry out simple floating and sinking experiments and begin to understand why heavy metal boats float.

Teaching Outcomes
To experiment with objects to find out what floats and what sinks.
To make suggestions as to why objects float or sink.
To record experiments using digital photography equipment.
To measure the weight of various materials and objects.

Children will:

• Conduct and record simple experiments to explore floating and sinking.
• Offer explanations as to why heavy metal boats float.
• Explore whether salt water and fresh water affect an object’s ability to float.
• Make predictions based on own knowledge, previous experience and observations.
• Use photography to record the results of experiments.
• Use scales to weigh objects.