Our first science unit is all about the scientific process and inquiry. This year’s group was having a really hard time using our textbooks, and the experiments inside it were far too simple to actually have students do any meaningful inquiry. I knew it was time to hit the internet and find several easy, but engaging, experiments.
First, I stopped over at Brain Pop and found a video on the scientific process. {Sidenote: if you don’t have a Brain Pop subscription, it’s totally worth it. There are videos for everything!} We also did a simple string experiment Brain Pop suggested to teach students about making observations by listening to the different sounds different lengths of string made.
After the basic experiment, I knew my students were ready for something a little more involved. I hit Pinterest to look for ideas and came across a pin from Cara Carroll at The First Grade Parade that led to this experiment. I knew my students would love it! Since I teach third grade, I created a data sheet so students could follow along with the scientific process and record their observations.
First, we started with plain water and noted our observations.
The we added a drop of blue food coloring. The students were so amazed with the way the food coloring “exploded” into the water.
Then we added bleach. Can you guess what happened? Our blue water turned teal.
With a little swirl of the jar, the teal disappeared completely!
To add an extra step of inquiry, we added a drop of food coloring back into our bleach water. My students literally jumped out of the seats to see this part! The blue food coloring started to “explode” into the water like it had the first time, but then it immediately retreated and disappeared.
If you want to do this experiment with your class, you can grab a free copy of my data sheet on Google docs.
This is just what I have been looking for. My third graders are getting ready to do the FOSS Chemical Tests kit and I wanted to introduce the process before we get into more complicated experiments. Your timing is perfect. I'm trying this first thing next week!
Check out Steve Spangler Science. We did a great experiment with food coloring, milk, and dish soap. I love his Sick Science. Pictures on my blog 🙂
Mrs.Frost's Kindergarten
YES! Love his stuff too.
This looks like a quick and easy way to teach the scientific method. I will have to remember this idea when we start our science unit!!!!
Jamie
teachingtidbit.blogspot.com
Quick and easy– my two favorite words. 😉
This is a great visual experiment. I am sure my kids would love it. Thanks for sharing.
Charlene/Diamond Mom
Diamond Mom's Treasury
Love this blog post! I get so excited when I see the students excited about an experiment like this! I will definitely be trying this sometime soon. Thanks for sharing the data collection sheet.
A Teaspoon of Teaching
You're welcome– glad it saved you a step!
Wow I love this. Thank you for providing the pictures and the chart. I know it will be a great observation paper. Thanks!
Love, love it! Pictures are fantastic and so is the observation packet. Thank you:)
Can I ask a question please? what is the science behind the experiment? why does it do what it does???
The bleach works by changing the double bonds of a chromophore into single bonds. This alters the optical properties of the molecule, making it colorless. ha! For my third graders, I just made sure they understood that bleach was a cleaning product designed to get stains out, so it removes the stains/color from the water.