Will It Float

Scripture: Genesis 5-9

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will review the story of Noah and the Ark
  • Students will learn about the concept of buoyancy
  • Students will experiment with various objects to learn which ones are buoyant and which ones are not

Guiding Question: What objects are buoyant? Do buoyant objects have any traits/characteristics in common?

Materials: tub(s) of water, various common objects – rocks, feathers, soda can, paper, cloth, tin foil, wax paper, pencil, etc.

Procedure: Review the story of Noah and the Ark. Ask students how important it was for the Ark to float. Divide students into small groups. Give each group a small tub of water (Please practice all water safety rules.) and various common objects. Ask students to predict which objects will float and which objects will not and why they believe their prediction is correct. If desired, you can have them record their predictions and results. Have students place each object in the water and observe what happens. Encourage them to keep objects that appear to float in the water for another thirty seconds as some objects may float and then sink over time. Have students record their observations. After completing the activity, bring the groups back together to discuss their results. What conclusions can they make from what they observed?

Additional Question: Is there any way you can change the objects that sank so they will now float?

Supplemental Activity: Repeat the activity, but allow students to attempt to modify the objets that sink in an effort to make them float.

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