1. The scientific method. Watch a fun song about science to learn the steps of the scientific method.

2. See the scientific method in action. Watch a video of some students doing an experiment. What makes something sink or float? Can you guess what will float?

3. Try it on your own! (see examples below)

4. Do your own experiement. Go to the science project ideas site to find some ideas for Science Expo

Example Science Projects to try

Try the experiment from the video: What floats?

Observe / Ask a Question

You're busy getting ready for school, and getting ready by brushing your teeth. You put the toothbrush down to rinse your teeth, but you accidently knock your toothbrush in the toilet! It slowly sinks to the bottom. Your inner scientist wonders, why did that float? What else would float?

Background

[left up to the student]

Hypothesis

Which of the things around the house would float?

Methods: Materials needed

• Cup

• Water

• Paper towels or cloth towel to wipe up spills.

• Items from the house. Make sure that it is ok to get these items wet. No electronics.

Methods: Procedure

Find a place where it is ok if things get a little messy. Place the cup on a table and fill 3/4 of the way.

Pick an item and put it in the cup.

Results

What happened? Did it float or sink? Record your results.

Reflect on what you saw. Which kinds of items floated? Which kinds of items sank?

Conclusion

Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect? What did you learn about what kinds of things float? What questions do you want to explore next?

Try the experiment from "The Scientific Method" song: Will bread prevent an egg from cracking?

Observe / Ask a Question

You wake up in the morning, and you're really hungry! You head over to the kitchen, open the fridge and pull out an egg. As you close the door, your hand slips and you drop the egg! It breaks on the floor. Oh no! But your inner scientist wonders, if there was some bread on the floor, would it have stopped the egg from breaking? How many pieces of bread do you need?

Background

[left up to the student]

Hypothesis

Using [how many?] pieces of bread will prevent the egg from cracking.

Methods: Materials

• 6 eggs

• Tape measure

• Loaf of sliced bread

• Foam or paper plate

• Pencil and paper to record results

• Paper towel, plastic bag (optional, for easy clean up)

Methods: Procedure

Find a place where it is ok if things get a little messy. Place the paper towel or plastic bag on the floor. Place the plate on top.

Put the bread on the plate.

Drop the egg from 2 feet (24") above the plate. Use the tape measure to get the egg to the right height.

Feel free to try different amounts of bread. Record your results - number of pieces of bread, and whether the egg broke. If you have extra eggs in the end, you can try repeating, and see if you get the same results with the same number of pieces of bread.

Results

What happened? Did the egg break? Or did it survive? 

Reflect on what you saw. How many pieces of bread were needed to prevent the egg from breaking?

Are there any pictures, diagrams or plots you can include?

Conclusion

Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect? What did you learn? What do you think it would tell you about other materials you could use, such as a sponge or a towel? What questions do you want to explore next?