Whoopee for Water! Camp - Day 1

At camp this week, we are using water in its many forms as a medium for exploration and creativity.  

We gathered today around three large blocks of ice.  We touched and moved the ice, and we talked about its properties.  Then we added salt and water color to see what effect they would have on the ice.  

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We also worked in two small groups to explore color mixing on the overhead projector and the concept of sink or float.

Our friends noted that if objects sink, they "go down under the water."  Floating objects "stay up."  We tested a variety of objects from our reuse collection (including two friends' snack caps) in a bin of water to see which would sink and which would float.  Before we tested, we made a prediction.  

At the end of our group, we sorted objects by those that sink and those that float.  Then we were able to sort those groups by material to generalize what materials sink or float.  We found that wood, foam and plastic cups and lids generally float.  Fabric, paper, metal and flat plastic tend to sink.  We will use this understanding as we sculpt boats later in the week.

In our other group, we explored color mixing on the overhead projector.  We used a dropper to mix primary water colors together in a clear tray that was projected on the wall.  

We wondered where the green came from.  After further investigation we determined that it was a result of the yellow and blue mixing.

Our friends took turns filling the tray on the overhead projector with colors. We discovered that we could make a rainbow with just the three primary colors. 

During our exploration time, friends worked in our message center and built pathways for balls out of tubes and boxes.

At our final meeting, we observed our ice blocks again to see if there were any changes.  We found that the blocks that we sprinkled with salt were "bumpy" and had "cracks".  

In some places, the salt made holes in the ice.

Over the week we will build on the experience that we have in class: Our sink and float activity will help inform our boat building. The exploration of balls and pathways lays foundations for thinking about water movement. We will continue to work with watercolors and color mixing.  And, we will continue to consider the many forms of water, including one that will provide us with a tasty treat toward the end of the week!