project based learning experiment

Grade 5 Science CourseTopic for discussion:Properties of liquids

Properties of water

For a class of 16 fifth graders I would like to discuss properties of water in an interesting way.

To get the class thinking I would ask how is it possible some people/things float while others cannot?

Basic Instructions (Experiment #1)

Make a paper clip float on water.Question to ask students prior to beginning: Is it possible to float

a paper clip?

Experiment 1 Directions:

In teams of 4 make a paperclip float in water.

Rotate while experimenting allowing everyone to take observation notes in notebook or IPAD

Setup:4 groups of 4

Supplies:10 paper clips1 bowl of water1 piece of paper1 IPAD1 notebook1 Q-tip1 pair of tweezers

Goal

The goal of this assignment is to allow the students to test and apply theories of water properties. Students will decide how to make the paper clip float, the quantity to float and the method of observation.

Experiment #2 (Magic Milk)

Place a small amount of milk in a bowl Take turns dropping 3 drops of each food

coloring into the bowl of milk Using a Q-tip with soap on it place the Q-tip

in the milk for 10-15 seconds. Record what you observe. Try experiment again

Experiment Steps

Water tension experiment

Supplies Directions

In groups of 4 predict what will happen when the soap touches the milk.

Groups will answer the question “What did you learn about water Properties” in a 5 minute presentation.

To conclude

What is the purpose of these experiments?

Critical thinking Students are able to actively figure out answers to scientific

questions. Collaboration

Students work as a team using each others method to answer, solve or figure out scientific problems.

Communication Working together allows constant communication and

interaction with peers and offers each peer learning.

Deeper learning

More interesting and effective Actively solve problems

Work that matters!

Instant Feedback

Students work together testing their hypothesis while experimenting. If a “piece of the puzzle” doesn’t fit they collaborate with one another and instantly change to fix and progress through the project.

Matter, S. (N.D.) Magic milk. Retrieved September 16, 2015 from http://www.nipissingu.ca/education/jeffs/4284winter/pdfs/magicmilk.pdf

(N.D.) Surface Tension. Retrieved September 16, 2015 from http://video.mit.edu/watch/surface-tension-8413/

Crazy Russian hacker. (2013). Milk+Soap=Magic. Retrieved September 16, 2015 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFvaz34Ocd0

Buck Institution of Education. (2010). Project Based Learning Explained. Retrieved September 16, 2015 from https://youtu.be/LMCZvGesRz8

References