Thursday, June 10, 2010

Water Everywhere Brownie Try-It

We chose to do this badge next because our library is doing a special program for 3 - 6th graders this year, called Water Works. 

 
In addition, summer is always a great time to do water activities. 

 
Made of Water.  Your body is made of 70% or more of water, but did you know many of the products we use are also made of water?  We went on an indoor scavenger hunt, of sorts, to find as many products we could that had water listed on the ingredient label.

Items from the kitchen included:

  • salad dressings
  • pancake and chocolate syrup
  •  lemon juice
  • canned fruits and veggies
  • jelly

Items from the bathroom included:
  • soap, shampoo, conditioner, and detangler spray
  • medicines
  • toothpaste and mouthwash
  • contact lens solution


There were many more items, but for clean up sake, we didn't drag everything out!

It was amazing that almost everything has added water in it!

Drip Drop.  We read the section on water conservation.  My hubby showed Shayla a you tube video about how the water conditions are in other countries.  Another thing to count as a blessing.  Sorry, I don't have the link. 

The activity was to find a leaky faucet, measure the amount of water it leaks and repair it.  I am thankful to say that we could not do this because we don't have any leaking faucets at this time.

Clean, Clear Water. 

Activity 1:  Do a taste test between tap water, distilled bottled water, and bottled spring water. 

This wasn't necessary.  Shayla has had other types of water and refuses to drink it.  I honestly believe she would die of thirst before she would drink it!  I know, you think it's all in her head, let me assure you that even if she did not see a bottle or jug of water, if I just substituted it in her glass or water bottle, she would know the difference.  Her senses are amazing.

Activity 2:  Learn about water filtering.

Gather water samples from several sources (we used tap water and water from a mud puddle).  Use a coffee filter, paper towel, or cloth on top of a clear container (a different one for each type of water).  Pour the water in.  Is there any sediment on the cloth?  Is the water clear after filtering?

As you can see, dad was interested in the topic today.  He even helped Shayla with a second filter.  He cut the top off a two liter bottle, put a cotton ball in the opening and they strained the mud puddle water through that  for a second filtering.  It was still cloudy.  I don't want to drink it!

We read The Magic School Bus:  At the Waterworks by Joanna Cole.  I wanted to do a field trip to a local water treatment facility, but life is too hectic right now!  Maybe later.


Water Snooper.    We made a water snooper by cutting the bottom out of an empty nut can.  (I liked this one because there were no sharp edges to get cut on).  Stretch a piece of plastic wrap over one of the openings and secure it with a rubber band. 

Use the water snooper by pushing the end with the plastic into water sources for a better view.

Bet you can't guess what our next activity was since we just built a water snooper. 

Water Explorer.  With all the rain we have received recently, we had more opportunity to explore. 

Exploring the goldfish in our new rock pond.


A mud puddle in our flooded front yard.
A mud puddle in our driveway.
The usually small creek running through the back of our property.  Many times this creek dries up, but as you can see, it is definately flowing right now.  We were unable to see any small critters because the water was flowing too rapidly.


Water Layers.   Salt Water vs. Fresh Water.

Discuss bodies of water that are fresh water (creeks, streams, the Great Lakes) and salt water (the ocean.)  Discuss that certain fish are fresh water or salt water fish.  I wanted to take a field trip to the aquarium, but we settled for the pet department of a local store to learn this. 

What makes fresh water and salt water different?  There are ways more than taste.

Put 1 cup of water in a glass jar.  Add salt and keep stirring.  Stop stirring when the salt will no longer dissolve and stays on the bottom.

Add food coloring to the salty water to see the separation.

Hold your spoon to the the top of the water and very slowly add 1 cup of fresh water by spoonfuls.  The fresh water should stay ontop, because it is not as heavy as salt water. 

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