We continued our water exploration with an observation of different objects that float and sink. Our older boys were introduced to the concept of "density" through use of a submarine that sinks when the chamber is filled with baking powder, then rises as it fills with air--ask them why it works!
L: "Some of the stuff is up, that means it's floating..."
We also explored "aqua beads"--clear polymer balls that are slippery and fun to play in. L thought they looked like fish eggs! He decided to put them in the water to see what happened and was amazed when they seemed to vanish!
L: "It feels like I'm holding something invisible. How can this be holding water when it's invisible?"
W: "They're invisible in the water. You definitely can't see them."
L: "I'm trying to get it all in, I can feel all of it but I can't see anything. It's not magic any more 'cause they disappeared again."
W demonstrated a tricky science experiment he'd learned about in a book--how to make water stay in a cup when it's upside down!
"I can flip it over without the water coming out...air pressure is stronger than the water pressure."
We read the book
Fidgety Fish about a fish who has a hard time staying still (much like some of our boys!) and looked at several books on coral reefs and underwater habitats.
Then we made underwater habitats of our own! This habitat included fish, rocks, and an undersea diver (green "person" at the bottom of the bottle).
Even our littlest learners got to join in the fun as they explored underwater plants and animals in our sensory exploration station!
