Submersibles and Marshmallows

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In this activity, learners discover the difficulty of ocean exploration by human beings as they investigate water pressure. Learners determine how depth affects water pressure and how density affects submersibles.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 11
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 1 plastic soda bottle
  • 1 balloon
  • 91 cm of rubber tubing
  • tape
  • rubber bands
  • scissors
  • 1 nail
  • coins
  • large basin, sink, or inflatable pool
  • tap water
  • 1 large marshmallow
  • 1 glass bottle (with an opening large enough for the marshmallow to fit)
  • flexible straws
  • modeling clay
  • science journal
  • pen

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Structure
      • Oceans and Water
  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Ocean Engineering
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
    • States of Matter
      • Liquids
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Mass and Weight
      • Volume and Density
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations

Informal Categories

  • Model Building

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • NASA Center for Distance Learning, Office of Education at NASA’s Langley Research Center

Rights: