Science Unit - Water - Weeks 1-4

 

When the children were younger, there was a superb interactive museum in Ashton which we visited regularly called Waterworks. It explained beautifully all about water and it would have been a perfect learning experience for this project. Sadly due to all the cuts the local councils are making, it has closed down. We did however visit the Museum of Science and Industry a few weeks ago on a family day and got to see some working water and stream powered engines. Taking inspiration from that, we then carried out a very simple experiment at home; we boiled water in the kettle and took the lid off to see the steam. The children could see water turn from a liquid (that could be poured) into a gas (that has no particular shape and flows).

 We found out about the characteristics of particles in solids, liquids and gases.

 

The children here being a solid (particles tightly pressed together and standing very still!)

 and they drew them in their books.

 

 

We discussed the ways in which we use water...

 

 

And carried out a few more science experiments.

 

Two ice cubes were left out of the freezer. We added salt to one. The children watched to see which ice cube melted the fastest. It was the one with the salt added, and we then talked about why salt grit is used on the roads in winter.

 

The children chose some items to wrap ice cubes up in; newspaper, plastic, tin foil and sponge cloth. One was left without any wrapper. The children kept checking to see what was happening. The quickest to melt was the unwrapped ice cube, followed by tin foil, newspaper, plastic and the best insulator was the sponge cloth.
 

 I have lots more exciting experiments and activities planned, I feel we have barely scratched the surface. If you have any more ideas of activities or resources, please leave them in the comments below.