Creating Science Toys!

I was so excited when I read the section of our text book in chapter 8 about the science toys! Janice Koch introduces a fifth grade science classroom where the students are exploring the properties of liquids. As the students explore the liquids she presents them with they are especially interested in the relationship between weight and volume. Although the teacher was not planning on introducing the concept of density, she changed her plan. Following their exploration of density, she brought in science toys. These toys included lava lamps and other toys that incorporate the use of liquids with different densities. Then she had the students create their own science toys! I absolutely LOVE this idea! It is such an engaging activity and requires such a high level of thinking! Although, the teacher had not planned on taking the class in this direction she realized this was a "teachable moment" and she had to jump on it and I am sure the class was glad they got this opportunity! Janice Koch describes one science toy that involves a plastic cup with corn syrup and a plastic cup with water and food coloring separated by a plastic sheet with a small hole in it. When the toy is flipped the corn syrup falls trough the water and creates an interesting visual.