WATER INVESTIGATION

1. Use your hands to make the shapes listed below out of the Use the words below to help you explain your
plasticine. observations
2. Predict if it will float by circling float or sink in the predict box. Heavy Balanced Gravity Water Push
3. Observe and record whether the plasticine shape floated or sunk Light Unbalanced Pull Size Large
by circling float or sink in the predict box. Weight Small Thin Outspread Compact
4. Use your knowledge of the push of water and the pull of gravity
to explain why it floated or sunk

Shape Predict Observe Explain – Why?

Ball Float Float

Sink Sink

Float Float
Flattened Shape
Sink Sink

Float Float
Cup or Boat Shape
Sink Sink
 Boat Challenge
Using your knowledge about how the pushes and pulls of water and gravity as well as your knowledge of how certain shapes and objects float
design and create a boat out of plasticine that will hold the greatest number of cubes or marbles before it sinks.
1. Draw a design of your plasticine boat
2. Record your prediction of how many cubes your boat will hold before sinking
3. Record the number of cubes your boat held before it sunk
4. Write down your observations and any changes you could make.
Boat Design 1: Draw and label your design Predicted Actual Observations
Number of Number of
Cubes Cubes

What might you change? Why

Boat Design 2: Draw and label your design Predicted Actual Observations
Number of Number of
Cubes Cubes

What might you change? Why

 Label the Diagram
label the diagram using the words Push, Pull, Gravity and Water to show what forces are involved in casuing the boat to
float on the water.

Of

Of
Of