Water experiments

February 2014 – Part I

St. Marien-SchuleKirschenallee 100

47443 Moers

St. Marien-Schule, Kirschenallee 100, 47443 Moers, Germany

Our third graders were very lucky this year. They were invited by a secondary school (Gymnasium Adolfinum) to do some science experiments with them.

Some years ago this Gymnasium had a marvellous idea. They wanted to motivate their students to be science teachers later. At that school students can take part in a project called „Die Großen mit den Kleinen“ (the big with the small). First the students prepare some lessons for 3rd graders and afterwards some classes from local primary schools are invited to do these lessons.

This year both of our 3rd grade classes were invited and had the opportunity to learn about biology, chemistry and physics. And of course there were some WATER EXPERIMENTS. Great for us, as we could work in a real laboratory.

St. Marien-Schule, Kirschenallee 100, 47443 Moers, Germany

Our chemistry teachers

St. Marien-Schule, Kirschenallee 100, 47443 Moers, Germany

Can water make things disappear?

1. Fill the test tubes half with water

2. Add to one test tube some

1. salt

2. sand

3. vinegar

4. cooking oil

5. sugar

6. garden mould

3. Add a stopper and shake well

4. Wait for a minute and note your observation

The task:

St. Marien-Schule, Kirschenallee 100, 47443 Moers, Germany

We observed that salt, vinegar, and sugar dissolve in water. Oil floats on the surface. Sand and garden mould settle, but sand faster than garden mould.

St. Marien-Schule, Kirschenallee 100, 47443 Moers, Germany

The kitchen salt factory

1. Fill one glass ( 50 ml) half with water

2. Add half a table spoon of salt

3. Stir well

4. Absorb some of the mixture with a pipette

5. Add 10 drops of the salt water to an empty

glass

6. Heat this glass e.g. on a „portable hearth “

7. Note your observation

The task:

St. Marien-Schule, Kirschenallee 100, 47443 Moers, Germany

We observed that salt first dissolved in the water.When the drops were heated, the water evaporated and the salt remained on the bottom of the glass as little salt crystals.

St. Marien-Schule, Kirschenallee 100, 47443 Moers, Germany

Mixing effervescent powder with water

1. Fill one package of effervescent powder into a bottle

2. Blow a balloon and whoop it up again

3. Fill some water into the bottle

4. Put the balloon over the bottle neck (FAST!)

5. Note your observation

The task:

St. Marien-Schule, Kirschenallee 100, 47443 Moers, Germany

We observed that the mixture began to fizz and bubble. Some kind of gas called carbon dioxide is produced. This gas needs room to spread, so the carbon dioxide fills the bottle and then moves into the balloon, inflating it.

St. Marien-Schule, Kirschenallee 100, 47443 Moers, Germany

Comenius project: Water in our Lives

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.