Sink or Float

During science today we conducted a "sink or float" experiment.  The students learned about the scientific process of asking a question, forming a hypothesis, following a procedure, collecting data, and coming to a conclusion. We tested a penny, straw, marble, and plastic cup.  Most of the students' predictions were correct until we came to the cup. Some cups sank and some were floating.  The students noticed that the cups with no water inside were floating and the cups that were filled with water were sinking. We concluded that mass affects whether an object will sink or float.  So if your child asks to take several items to the bathtub tonight you now know what they are up to :)