This is a post from several years ago that Iris Nieves wrote. I love this because it proves once again that you don’t have to do costly and time consuming science projects! Science is what the children do, not what the teacher does!
*Wouldn't this be a great activity for children to do with their families?
My friend Iris sent this photograph of discovery bottles she created with her students. She took recycled bottles and engaged the children in what I call a “grass roots” science experiment. From left to right, this is what they put in the bottles and what they learned:
1. Foam squares and water. The kids discovered that foam floated to the top and the bottom. The water turned pink when it was left in the sun over the weekend.
1. Foam squares and water. The kids discovered that foam floated to the top and the bottom. The water turned pink when it was left in the sun over the weekend.
2. Grass clippings and water. Children discovered the water turned green.
3. Orange sand, clay, and water. The water turned muddy and after a while the sand settled at the bottom
4. Glitter, glue, and water. The glitter made blobs at first and then after a lot of shaking the glitter suspended in the water.
5. Black and tan sand and water. The children noticed that after the sand settled the tan sand stayed at the bottom and black sand made a layer at the top. The water stayed murky.
6. Wood mulch (from the playground ) and water. Some mulch sank and some stayed at the top. After being in the sun a couple of days the water turned green.
Way to go Iris!
P.S. If you put "discover bottles" in the search engine on this blog you'll find lots of other interesting projects with recycled plastic bottles.
