Scientific Method

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Home : 2004 : October : 3

Scientific Method
By Shelly

You can scale the scientific method down for 1st graders by trying an experiment with buoyancy.
Go through the steps of the sci. method together. Have the students hypothesize about whether or not the items you provide
them will float or sink. You can give them a simple sheet where you have listed all of the items and they just check sink or float. Have the kids work in small groups and test each of the items out in a cup of water. I do this with my kids each year at the beginning of the year to intro the sci. method. We come back together at the end of the experiment to discuss our observations and

make conclusions about "buoyancy."
The kids love the experiment when you use fun items. Try some simple ones and then throw in some fun ones like cereal or candy. I usually use some things found in the classroom and then some others that they might not be familiar with such as cork. If you are looking for containers to fill water with, try going to the deli at your local grocery store. Ask for some pound containers (used for pasta salads and stuff) for a school experiment. People are usually giving when its for a school-related project. Have fun!