Use a tea kettle to examine evaporation.
Science is all around us, from leaves that change colors to boats floating in water. Science topics are virtually limitless. When teaching children science, engage them in activities that allow them to explore the topic in depth, promoting a greater understanding of the scientific world.
Buoyancy
Buoyancy refers to the ability of objects to float on water and other liquids. When examining buoyancy, present children with a variety of activities that allow them to investigate the scientific property. For example, fill vessels with water and place an egg in each of the vessels. Supply children with different substances to add to the water to try to make the eggs float, such as sugar, sand and salt. Another activity for exploring buoyancy is a sink and float activity. Fill a vessel with water and provide children with different items like blocks, feathers, paper, foam pieces and a toy boat, for example. Ask children to predict whether the items will sink or float when placed in the water. Allow them to test their predictions and then discuss the results.
Magnetism
Magnetism is the invisible force that pulls together magnetic items. To teach children about magnetism, set out a tray of magnetic and nonmagnetic items like blocks, paper clips, metal cans and paper, for example. Encourage children to predict which items will stick to a magnet and which items won't and discuss the results. Another activity to explore magnetism involves spreading iron filings on a cookie sheet. Have children run magnets underneath the cookie sheet and watch as the iron filings move. This activity shows how magnetism can be so strong that it can pull through items. Still another activity is to provide children with two magnets. Allow them to experiment by pushing and pulling the magnets together. Explain that when the magnets pull together, opposite poles are matched up and when the magnets push apart, the poles are the same.
Absorption
Absorption refers to the elements of one items being pulled, or absorbed, into the elements of another item. Teach children about absorption by setting out different items such as sponges, paper, fabric, wood and plastic. Provide children with eye droppers and cups of water and have them apply water to the surfaces of the different items to see which items absorb the water and which items don't. Engage children in an activity that allows them to examine the absorption of light. Provide children with white and black paper and instruct them to place the paper in front of a sunny window. After a period of an hour, have them feel both pieces of paper to see which is warmer. Explain that the black paper is warmer than the white because dark colors absorb light better than light colors.
Evaporation
Allow children to examine the process of evaporation, the turning of liquid into vapor. Boil a kettle filled with water and have children watch the vapor that escapes from the kettle. Explain that the steam they see is the water being turned into vapor. Fill a bowl with water and mark the water line with a marker. Set the bowl in a sunny spot and invite children to check the amount of water in the bowl at one- or two-hour intervals. Have them use a marker to mark the water line each time they check it. Explain that though they may not be able to see the water being evaporated, the depletion of water indicates it is evaporating.
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