Today we did an experiment to discover how the ‘mass‘ of different objects affect the force needed to move each object.

Materials:

• straw
• cotton ball
• rock
• 1 item from our pencil box

Instructions:

1. Using the straw, see if you can make your objects move with just your breath.
2. Record the observations you made, using pictures and words.
3. Explain why you think some objects were easier to move than others.

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What did we discover?

• the cotton ball moved very quickly because it was so light
• the rock would ‘wiggle’ but not move because it was so heavy
• pencils and crayons would move quickly because they were round and could roll
• erasers would not move because of ‘friction‘

Science is Fun!!

We continue to work on our science unit on Force and Motion.  We have done a number of different experiments…learning about gravity, push and pull on the playground, the power of air, and friction.

I think the most popular one has been the Balloon Rockets!!  We worked in teams of three to create our own Balloon Rocket–and then test it out.

Materials:

• balloon
• straw
• masking tape
• long string

            Instructions:

1. One partner holds one end of the string.
2. Put the other end of the string through the straw.
3. Pull the string tight and have the other partner hold the other end.
4. Blow up the balloon (but don’t tie it.) Pinch the end of the balloon and tape the balloon to the straw. You’re ready for launch.
5. Let go and watch the rocket fly!

Of course we then had to record our observations…

This week we learned about friction–testing how objects would move down a plastic tray vs. a board covered with sand paper.  We had a lot of interesting results–which lead to a lot of interesting discoveries!  We LOVE science!

Our next experiments include the effects of mass on force, and magnets.  Watch your emails, because our final experiment will require some things you might have around your house…

We have begun a new science unit on Force & Motion!

We have defined force as “making things move”.

We have defined motion as “moving from A to B” (or from one place to another place)

1. We have done a number of experiments with toys–testing out the different ways they can move:  Does it bounce, spin, slide, or roll?  Thanks to our Grade One girls for leading a group in these experiments.
2. We watched a documentary on motion, learning about push and pull and speed.
3. We went out to the playground to test out what we had learned about motion, searching for things that needed either a push or a pull to move.  Ask us what we found…
4. We did some experiments to test gravity by dropping a number of items on the floor to see which would hit the ground first.  This was VERY tricky as it was hard to tell!!  But we learned that they all hit the ground at the same time because of gravity.
5. Our next experiment involves using air as a force to help make things move…

“Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”~Albert Einstein