Make the different timekeeping devices below.
Use a timer, watch, or clock to compare how accurate the timekeepers are by seeing how much time passes while the timekeeping device is running.
Please ask an adult for help when making these devices!
You will need:
timer
hourglass
2 water bottles
sand or salt
screwdriver or nail
tape
Get two water bottles with caps.
Make a small hole in the middle of each cap.
Fill one bottle with salt or sand.
Tape or glue the caps together.
Screw the caps back onto each bottle.
Turn your hourglass over and start the timer.
Let your hourglass run without touching it.
Stop the timer when it is empty.
Try it again!
You will need:
plastic bottle
scissors
marker
food coloring (optional)
timer
Use your scissors to cut the plastic bottle in half.
Make a small hole in the middle of the bottle cap.
Screw the cap with the hole back onto the bottle.
Place the top of the bottle upside down into the bottom of the bottle.
Fill your measuring cup with water and add food coloring.
Pour water from the measuring cup into the top of bottle.
Start your timer.
After one-minute passes, make a mark at the water line on the bottom of the bottle.
Continue making marks after each minute that passes.
When all the water is in the bottom, pour it back into measuring cup and start again.
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Ask an adult before setting up this timekeeper!
birthday candle
playdough
plate
lighter or matches
marker
ruler
push pin, sewing needle, or small nail
Measure ½ centimeter intervals on the birthday candle.
Mark each interval with a marker.
Place a push pin at the 3-minute interval mark. Most birthday candles burn ½ centimeter per minute.
Make a blob of playdough on a plate.
Stand the marked birthday candle up in the playdough.
Light the candle.
Set a timer for 3 minutes.
For more directions, please visit
paper plate
markers
straw
flashlight
Mark the paper plate with the numbers 1-12 the way you see them on a clock face.
Punch a hole in the middle of the plate.
Stand the straw up in the hole.
Turn the flashlight on.
Hold the flashlight above the sundial in different positions to cast shadows.
Try to create a shadow on each number one at a time.
You can also put your sundial out in the sun at check on it at different times during the day to see how the shadow tells you what time it is.
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