Sinking Soda and other Science Activities

Sinking Soda

Bring in cans of regular soda and diet soda and have students predict which will sink and float. Have students explain their predictions. Then drop both cans in a large bowl or tank of water. Have students make and record their observations. Why does the diet soda float? Why does the other soda sink? Have students research the Internet and determine if their predictions were correct. Encourage them to draw conclusions and share their ideas with the class.

Sunken Treasure

Give small groups a bowl of water and a set of waterproof objects such as metal and plastic spoons, toothpicks, bolts, screws, number cubes, small balls, and metal keys. Have students predict which items will float and which will sink. Then have groups discuss their predictions and drop different items into the bowl. Students should sort the floating items from the sinking items. After everyone has completed the experiment, place all the sinking objects into a tank or large pot filled with water. Hide the “sunken treasure” in your classroom or, if possible, the school and draw a map that helps the students find the treasure.

Water Line

Give pairs of students a clear cup of water and small items that sink or float. Remind them that when an object is placed in water, the level will rise. Have them predict how much they think the water will rise for each item. Students should mark the original water level and draw their predictions on the side of the cup. They can use different colors of marker to distinguish their own predictions. Then have them drop different items into the cup, make observations, and record their data. Encourage them to measure with a ruler to see how much the water rose.

Sink the Ship

Float a toy boat in a clear tub filled with water. Have students find ways to sink the ship in the tank. Students may wish to add items to weigh the ship down, so it is important that they use items that are waterproof. Explain that you can waterlog the ship by tipping it over and filling it with water. Have students predict why the boat sinks when it tips over. Explain that air inside the ship helps the boat float, but when it tips over, the air escapes. Thus, the boat sinks.
Sink or Float Family Activities

Boat Float

Have your child make boats out of different materials, such as toothpicks, cork, paper, craft sticks, fabric, and clay. Have him or her make predictions about which boat will sink or float and write them down. Then have him or her try out their boats in a bathtub. Which boat floats? Which boat sinks? Encourage your child to explain what happened. Then have him or her think of ways to make a sinking boat float and vice versa. Allow your child to experiment using different shapes and adding weight to the boats.

Floating Animals

Together go to a local zoo and find animals that float. Animals like ducks, seagulls, beavers, and otters can all float on top of the water and walk on land. Have your child draw comparisons between the animals and write down their observations. Then have your child research on the Internet or at the library about his or her favorite floating animals. What body parts help them float and swim? How long can they hold their breath? How do they stay beneath the surface of the water? How much time do they spend in the water? Encourage your child to think of adaptations the animals have that allow them to live in the water.



Sink or Float


more science activities

My boy and his pup

Cinnamon Dippers and salsas

I receive a number of cooking magazines and I am subscribed to a number of recipe newsletters. I try a variety of them as often as possible. Here is one I rec'd in my email; this was fun for the boys to make and they loved the cinnamon tortillas. I used the leftover sauce and marinated and baked chicken with it. We make the Cinnamon Tortillas often so it was fun finding a new idea to try them with. I've made the cinnamon tortillas and put cherry and apple pie topping from a can on them, also.



Fruit Salsas with Cinnamon Tortilla Dippers
by Tami Rose

These fresh, fruity salsas are a healthy alternative to candies and other sweets. Kids will enjoy this treat!

Strawberry Apple Salsa:
1 C. of fresh strawberries
2 medium apples
1/2 C. mandarin oranges, drained well
1/4 C. fresh pineapple or unsweetened canned pineapple
1-2 TBSP Splenda - to taste
2 TBSP sugar free strawberry jam

Peel apples and pineapple. Chop all fruit into small pieces and put into a food processor. Sprinkle Splenda over the fruit. Process the fruit using the pulse button on the food processor until the mixture resembles chunky salsa. Pour the salsa into a small bowl and stir in the jam until all of the fruit has been coated. Cover and chill at least 15 minutes before serving.

Melon Berry Salsa:
1 C. cantaloupe
1 C. frozen berry mix consisting of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, thawed and very well drained
1/4 C. sugar or Splenda
2 TBSP lime juice
Chopped fresh mint (optional)

Peel cantaloupe and cube into very small bite-sized pieces. Add to a small bowl. Add berries to a food processor. Using the pulse button on the food processor, chop the berries until it resembles chunky salsa. Stir berries into the cantaloupe pieces. Stir in sugar and lime juice. Sprinkle in mint, if using, and stir well to mix. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes before serving.

Cinnamon Dippers:
4 large 10" tortillas
1 TBSP Splenda or sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
butter-flavored cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Stack tortillas into one pile. Cut the tortillas vertically into longs strips. Lay the strips in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Don�t crowd the strips; instead do 2 batches if necessary. Lightly spray the tortilla strips with the cooking spray. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over the tortilla strips. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until the tortillas are lightly browned and crispy.

Free kids meals for reading and kids nights

We are heading to the library today and stopping at Fazoli's to get the free kids meals because the boys read 5 books. We also do the BookIt program with Pizza Hut. Are there any other programs out there you can all share with me?

Oh, and we're doing the reading program with the library and Barnes and Noble for free books



Here is the info on Fazoli's: For all you young readers out there, ask your local Fazoli's about our Friendly Reader Program. At participating restaurants, they will give you a Fazoli's bookmark and if you read five books and fill out the information on the bookmark you will receive a free kid's meal.

Monday:


Buffalo Wild Wings
5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Children ages 12 and under eat for 99¢ from the kid's menu.

Tues:


Kids eat for 99 cents at Fazoli's on Tues. nite.

Black eyed pea kids eat free on Tues. 5-9

Wednesday:
AppleBee's
Wednesdays 3pm-close, kids 12 and under eat for only 99 cents.


IHOP
Kids eat free every day, from 3 p.m. - closing, with purchase of an adult meal.