| Most parents and especially homeschoolers are | | | | - In this project, what would you say is your |
| always on the lookout for easy science fair projects | | | | hypothesis? |
| to do with the kids. Here is one of our very easy | | | | - Which part of this experiment is your control? |
| science fair projects to do with the kids. In this project | | | | - How would you describe your method? |
| you are going to look at how ships float. | | | | These are some of the things you will have to know in |
| Simple boats such as rafts float because they are | | | | order to do a winning science fair project. Even easy |
| made of material that is lighter than the water. Usually | | | | science fair projects to do with the kids, needs to |
| materials such as light wood or reeds that are less | | | | adhere to this as they have to learn from the very |
| dense than water are used. | | | | beginning to do it correct. |
| Heave boats works differently as they float because | | | | The next easy science fair project to do with the kids.. |
| of the upthrust of the water that occurs because of | | | | Making use of the upthrust with a hollow hull |
| them pushing on the water. The upthrust is their | | | | What you need for this experiment: |
| pushing force. By putting something on the water and | | | | - A pair of scissors |
| letting it go, you will see that it is pushing the liquid out | | | | - Kitchen foil about 20cm X 15cm |
| of the way. The further it goes the more water it | | | | - Kitchen paper towels |
| pushes up. Now, when this upthrust becomes the | | | | - The same tank of water |
| same as the objects weight, the object will float. This | | | | - Marbles |
| is the principle uses for boats. | | | | How to do this easy science fair project: |
| Now here is a very simple experiment to test upthrust | | | | |
| What you will need for your project: | | | | 1. First of all place the flat piece of kitchen foil in the |
| - 2 polystyrene blocks, one double the size of the | | | | tank |
| other | | | | 2. Give it a slight push and notice that it sinks with the |
| - A tank or a bowl of water | | | | slightest push because it does not replace a lot of |
| - A wooden block | | | | water, so the upthrust in minimal |
| - A Marble | | | | 3. Remove the foil from the water and carefully dry it |
| Method for this easy science fair project to do with | | | | with the kitchen paper without tearing it |
| the kids: | | | | 4. Now you have to carefully, without tearing the foil, |
| | | | model it into a simple boat shape with your fingers |
| 1. Place the two polystyrene blocks in the water | | | | 5. Place your boat in the water |
| 2. Notice that they float because they are made of | | | | 6. What happens? |
| very light material | | | | 7. Why does it happen? |
| 3. So, for them to float only a small amount of upthrust | | | | 8. Now start filling your boat with marbles, as your |
| is needed | | | | cargo |
| 4. Now you can try and push them under the water | | | | 9. What happens now? |
| 5. You should be able to feel the upthrust pushing back | | | | 10. Why does it happen? |
| 6. Place the wooden block in and you will notice that it | | | | 11. How many marbles can you place in your boat |
| floats deeper in the water because it is heavier or | | | | before it sinks? |
| denser than the polystyrene blocks | | | | 12. Why does it eventually sink? |
| 7. Now drop the marble in, you will notice that it sinks | | | | In answering these questions, think of the experiment |
| immediately as the upthrust is not enough to keep it | | | | above. Now you have demonstrated how a boat |
| floating | | | | works. Even though it is made of metal, it is filled with a |
| When doing a project such as this, remember to make | | | | lot of air and this creates enough upthrust to make it |
| notes of all your steps and to take photos for your | | | | float. If the boat is overloaded though, it will eventually |
| display. It is also important to make use of the proper | | | | sink. |
| scientific method to ensure you do a good project. | | | | |