Nicole Burrell

Dr. Ordonez
Video Guide
My science video demonstrates a sinking and floating experiment with
multiple objects. The sinking and floating experiment is geared towards
prekindergarten students. In the video, I show the materials that the
students will need to complete the experiment. I show a picture of how to
set up the experiments. Then, I explain the definitions of sinking and floating
in terms that the prekindergarten students can understand. I talk about
what objects I think will float. Then, I put all of the objects that I think will
float on a paper plate labeled float. Next, I talk about what objects I think
will sink. Consequently, I put all of the objects I think will sink on the paper
plate labeled sink. I put each object in the water, one at a time, and explain
what the object is doing. As I pull each object out of the water, I dry it off
and put it on the paper plate labeled sink or the paper plate labeled float. I
explain to the students that the objects lighter than water float to the top of
the water. Then, I describe that the heavier objects sink to the bottom of the
water. Also, I tell the students that the objects float or sink depending on
what the objects are made up of. This video can be used at home for
students to complete a fun science activity with their parents or guardians.
The students can try this activity to see what objects sink to the bottom of
the water and what objects float at the top of the water. The students could
further this experiment by seeing what toys float or sink in the bathtub.

Also, this video expands upon the topic of water, which the students are
learning about in preschool. Overall, this video is an extended activity for
students to think about objects and their relation to water.
Standards: 3.2b.6: Unifying Themes: Predict a reaction based on previous
experiences.
3.2b.7: Science as Inquiry: Participate in scientific investigations.
3.2b.1: Force and Motion of Particles and Rigid Bodies: Explore and describe
motion of toys and objects.
Age: Prekindergarten
Type of Video: Procedural
Materials:

Small, Clear Plastic Container

Water (About 7 cups)
Small Sponge
Paper Clip
Crayon
Penny
Pencil
Small Rock
Rubber Duck
Leaf
4 Paper Plates
Towel
Blue Marker
Red Marker

Directions:
1. Have a parent gather all of the needed materials and fill the clear plastic
container with seven cups of water. The water should fill half of the
container up.

2. Put the plastic container on a flat countertop or table. Use the red marker
to label two paper plates with the word sink. Use the blue marker to label the
other two paper plates with the word float. Put one paper plate labeled sink
and one paper plate labeled float onto the table beside the plastic container.
Put the other two paper plates, labeled sink and float, on the other side of
the plastic container.
3. Think about what objects will sink and what objects will float.
4. Place the objects that you think will float on the paper plate labeled float.
5. Place the objects that you think will sink on the paper plate labeled sink.
6. Place the rubber duck into the water. Observe the rubber duck to see if it
sinks or floats. Dry the rubber duck off with the towel. Place the rubber
duck on the paper plate labeled float because it floated on top of the water.
This paper plate will have all of the objects that float at the end of the
experiment.
7. Place the rock into the water. Observe the rock to see if it sinks or floats.
Dry the rock off with the towel. Place the rock on the paper plate labeled
sink because it sunk to the bottom of the container. This paper plate will
have all of the objects that sink at the end of the experiment.
8. Place the rest of the objects, one at a time, into the water. Observe the
objects to see if they sink or float. Dry off the objects with the towel. Place
the objects on the appropriate sink or float paper plate.
9. After you are done with the experiment, clean up and put your materials
away.

Reference:
Knighten, L. (2012, October 12). Sink or float: A science experiment.
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