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The Shape of Floatation
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In this activity (on page 2 of the PDF under GPS: Sailboat Design Activity), learners will discover how the shape of an object, not just its weight, determines whether it floats or sinks.

Salt 'n Lighter
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In this activity, learners discover that as the salinity of water increases, the density increases as well. Learners prove this by attempting to float fresh eggs in saltwater and freshwater.

Defining Density
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In this introductory demonstration and activity, learners are introduced to the concept of density as they explore a rock and a wooden block in water.

Diet Light
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In this quick activity, learners observe how the added sugar in a can of soda affects its density and thus, its ability to float in water.

Cartesian Diver
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In this demonstration, learners observe the effects of density and pressure. A "diver" constructed out of a piece of straw and Blu-Tack will bob inside a bottle filled with water.

Floating Paper Clip
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In this activity, challenge learners to float a paper clip in a cup of water. Learners discover that a paper clip will sink in a cup of water, except when it is placed on a piece of paper towel.

Descartes' Diver
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In this activity, learners explore how changes in fluid pressure affect the buoyancy of a Cartesian diver inside a plastic soda bottle.

Deep Sea Diver
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In this ocean engineering activity, learners explore buoyancy and water displacement. Then, learners design models of deep sea divers that are neutrally buoyant.

Physics in the Kitchen: Sink or Swim Soda
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In the kitchen, learners can perform their own density investigation.

Oily Ice
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In this activity, learners experiment with the density of ice, water, and oil. Learners will discover that the density of a liquid determines whether it will float above or sink below another liquid.

Root Beer Float
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In this quick activity/demonstration about density, learners examine what happens when two cans of root beer--one diet and one regular--are placed in a large container of water.

Dancing Spaghetti
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In this chemistry activity, learners use spaghetti to explore density and chemical reactions.

Full of Hot Air: Hot Air Balloon Building
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In this activity, learners create a model of a hot air balloon using tissue paper and a hairdryer. Educators can use this activity to introduce learners to density and its role in why things float.

Test Density with a Supersaturated Solution
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Learners create three solutions with different levels of salinity. They compare the density of these solutions by coloring them and layering them in a clear plastic cup and in a soda bottle.

Gassy Lava Lamp
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In this activity, learners use oil, water, food coloring and antacid tablets to create a bubbling lava lamp. Use this activity to introduce concepts related to density, hydrophobicity vs.

Milli's Super Sorting Challenge
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In this activity, learners separate materials based on their special properties to mimic the way recyclables are sorted at recycling centers.

Dancing Raisins
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In this activity, learners will explore density and it's relationship with mass.

Can You Canoe?
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In this activity, learners explore how engineering has impacted the manufacturing of canoes over time, including the development of new, durable, and lighter materials.

Color Splash
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In this activity, learners mix water, cooking oil, and liquid food coloring to create beautiful colored designs in a cup. Use this activity to explore liquid density and solubility.

Watercraft
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In this design challenge activity, learners build a boat that can hold 25 pennies (or 15 one inch metal washers) for at least ten seconds before sinking.