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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.

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.

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.

Build a Raft
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In this activity, learners explore density and buoyancy as they design and construct rafts.

Density Intensity
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In this activity on page 12 of the PDF (Rethinking the 3 R’s: It’s Easy to be Green), learners examine how recyclable materials are separated by various properties at recycling centers.

Sink or Swim?
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Learners observe a tank of water containing cans of diet and regular sodas. The diet sodas float and the regular sodas sink. All the cans contain the same amount of liquid and the same amount of air.

Fly a Hot-Air Balloon
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Learners assemble a hot-air balloon from tissue paper. The heated air (from a heat gun) inside the balloon is less dense than the surrounding air and causes the balloon to float.

Dissolving Different Liquids in Water
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In this activity, learners add different liquids to water and apply their working definition of “dissolving” to their observations.

Bernoulli's Blowout
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In this quick activity (page 1 of PDF under SciGirls Activity: Kites), learners will witness firsthand the effects of Bernoulli’s Principle by capturing a ping pong ball in the stream of air created b

Floating Head Cup
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In this activity, learners watch a figure "magically" float up through the air.

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

Boats Afloat
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In this activity, learners discover what buoyancy is and determine the characteristics that make an object buoyant. Learners design, build, test, and evaluate boats made from a variety of materials.

Milk Carton Boats
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This activity (on page 2 of the PDF SciGirls Activity: Milk Carton Boat) is a full inquiry investigation into boat hull design.
Build A Hydrometer
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In this activity, learners will explore how a hydrometer works by building a working model and conducting experiments.

Glitter Globe
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This activity shows learners (with adult supervision) how to make a Glitter Globe, a fabulous toy that shimmers when you shake it.

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.