Paper Bugs Walking on Water (Surface Tension Experiment)

Surface tension experiments are the coolest. This one lives up to the others we've done. We made paper bugs walk on water! Here's how we did it.

What You Need
Card stock
Downloadable pattern - optional (free on Google Drive here)
Basin or pan of water (we used the bathtub)
Scissors

What to Do
Either fold card stock and draw a bug so it's back is at the top of the fold and it has large wide feet or print the downloadable pattern on card stock and fold. Do not crease the fold on the paper tightly; if possible leave it lightly creased only. Cut out your bug. 

Bend the feet back so your bug stands up. 

Gently (this may take some practice for rambunctious kids) place the bug in the water so its feet stand on the surface of the water.

Make several because it may take a few tries; once your bug is submerged, it has to be thrown out!

Why it Works
The surface of the water is like a thin film, formed by surface tension. Lightweight objects can actually balance atop this surface. Once your bug's legs penetrate the surface of the water and it absorbs enough water, it will no longer float. Each bug is for one-time use in this experiment. 

This great activity came from 365 Science Activities, which also served as the inspiration for my bug designs. Check it out!!

 

After School Linky (8-8)

Welcome to the party!

How much of summer is left for you before the kids heads back to school?

Yikes! We only have a few weeks!

Here are just a few activities (from last week's link-up) that I'm adding to our must-do list this school year.

 Bird Watching Journal from Creative Family Fun

 Glacier Activities from Highhill Education

Sing a Book: Peanut Butter and Jelly at Grandma Ideas

The After School Linky is cohosted by

Creative Family Fun

Planet Smarty Pants

Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational

The Educators' Spin on It

This Reading Mama

We would love to have you link up your School-Age Post (Ages 5 and up) about your learning week after school including Crafts, Activities, Playtime and Adventures that you are doing to enrich your children's lives after their day at school, home school, or on the weekend!

When linking up, please take a moment to comment on at least one post linked up before yours and include a link on your post or site! By linking up, you're giving permission for us to share on our After School Pinterest Board and feature an image on our After School Party in the upcoming weeks.

How Plants Absorb Water (experiment)

I always feel goofy sharing basic activities, but truthfully, sometimes the oldest and simplest things you can do with your kids are great learning opportunities.

The boys learned about how plants absorb water by dying flowers. Here's how we did it.

What You Need
Food Coloring
Flowers (we used daisies)
Water
Glasses/Vases/Bottles
Scissors

What to Do
Trim your flowers, cutting the stems on an angle under running water. A blunt flat end that sits squarely against the bottom of the vase, will make it difficult for the plant to draw up water.

Add 15-20 drops of food coloring in each vase. Add lukewarm water. 

Place a flower in each and observe over the next few days or week. If desired, keep a journal!

What We Observed
Even our leaves and flower petals were tinged with the dye. The blue dye had the most impact on the appearance of the flowers. Our yellow dye hardly made a noticeable difference. The boys were astounded to see the changes.

The oldest boy hypothesized that the plant would filter out the dye and there would be no noticeable difference. This experiment proved him wrong!

After School Linky (8-1)

Welcome to the party!

We're having a great summer. I hope you are too!

Here are some of the extraordinary ideas/activities shared last week.

O'Clock Ladybug Puzzles from Boy Mama Teacher Mama

Toys for Kids Who Love to Build at The Jenny Evolution

Paul Klee - Person from one Line - Art Project for Kids at Highhill Education

back to school :: resources from The Logbook

The After School Linky is cohosted by

Creative Family Fun

Planet Smarty Pants

Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational

The Educators' Spin on It

This Reading Mama

We would love to have you link up your School-Age Post (Ages 5 and up) about your learning week after school including Crafts, Activities, Playtime and Adventures that you are doing to enrich your children's lives after their day at school, home school, or on the weekend!

When linking up, please take a moment to comment on at least one post linked up before yours and include a link on your post or site! By linking up, you're giving permission for us to share on our After School Pinterest Board and feature an image on our After School Party in the upcoming weeks.