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Learners initially test to see how many drops of liquid (water, rubbing alcohol, and vegetable oil) can fit on a penny. They then generate their own hypotheses to explain the results and design experiments to test these hypotheses. Learners can actually conduct their experiments as time allows. This activity is a good opportunity to discuss details of experimental design and controlling variables.
- Under 5 minutes
- 10 to 30 minutes
- $1 - $5 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 14
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Small beakers (50-100 ml) or plastic cups (about 4 to 8 ounces), three per team
- Disposable pipettes, one per student plus a few extras
- Pennies, one per student
- Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol, two 16-ounce bottles
- Vegetable oil, one 32-ounce bottle
- Paper towels, several per student
- Water
Subjects
-
Engineering and Technology
- Engineering
-
Mathematics
-
Data Analysis and Probability
- Data Analysis
- Data Collection
- Data Representation
-
Measurement
- Units of Measurement
-
Data Analysis and Probability
-
Physical Sciences
-
Chemistry
- Solutions
-
States of Matter
- Liquids
- Structure and Properties of Matter
-
Chemistry
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- About Inquiry
- Asking Questions
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
-
The Scientific Process
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- 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:
- Hebrank, Mary R.
Source Collection
- TeachEngineering
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Regents of the University of Colorado, 2013