This natural science lesson provides a variety of activities to demonstrate to students how and why things float on water. Hands-on activities allow students to discover while they experiment, thereby learning while doing.

"Setting the Stage" - Before starting the program, ask the students, why do you think boats can float? If a boat is filled with people or objects, will it still float?

"Why Things Float"
The lesson opens with a variety of images showing the children many things that can float. Ask students what other things might float. How many things can they name?

"Little Froggy"
A poem about Little Froggy tells of his dilemma as he tries to cross the pond to reach a worm for dinner. Students are encouraged to use their problem-solving skills to help Froggy decide what path to take. The narration suggests talking about ways to solve the problem; then deciding which are the two best solutions. This exercise encourages the students to come to a conclusion as a team. A vote may need to be taken to determine the best answer.

"Little Froggy's Problem"
Touch-screen game - Images on the Learning Station give students different solutions to Froggy's problem. Choose an item to determine whether it will help Froggy or not. Do the answers match what the students determined?

"Froggy's Floating Game"
Touch-screen game - Students must choose which items Froggy can jump on to reach the other side of the pond. If the wrong item is chosen, Froggy will sink and the game will start over. Students use their logic and memorization skills to complete the task. A reset button is provided to play the game again. Activate the fast-forward button to advance the program when desired.

"What Floats?"
Touch-screen game - Another selection of items is shown for students to determine whether they float or not. This game is a good introduction for the new or shy child. Students are then encouraged to think of as many things as possible that float in the air, as well as on water.

"Can Metal Float?"
Hands-on activity - Boats are introduced in this part of the lesson. Because many FasTracKids classes are not near water, some students may have never been on or seen actual boats. Prior to class, the teacher should provide a large paper background with a water line so students can create a large boat mural. Encourage the students to use their creativity. Ask the students exactly where the boats should be placed in relation to the water line and other boats.

"Floating Metal Experiment" & "Why Ships Float"
Hands-on experiment - A video is shown demonstrating the experiment prior to the class activity. Using lightweight aluminum trays as boats, compare how a boat will float if the surface area covers the water, but sinks if it is compressed. Be sure to compress the tray into a very tight ball, as any air pockets will cause it to rise and float!

"Why Ships Sink"
Load lines and the weight of cargo are explained in this segment prior to the next experiment.
Hands-on experiment - As shown on the video, provide a large container of water lightweight toy boats if available (or aluminum trays for boats) coins, washers or other items to act as weights Following the instructions given by the narration, experiment with different loads to determine how much the boat can carry before it sinks.
Videotaping activity - students should prepare a few sentences to describe how and why the experiment is being performed. Remind students that they are scientists giving a presentation.
Note: The teacher may decide to videotape only one group of students during this experiment and videotape another group performing the next one for variety.

"How Air Affects Flotation"
Hands-on experiment - This experiment is also demonstrated on the Learning Station. Provide the following supplies:
3 large clear plastic soda or water bottles (3 per team, if desired)
Water and a large bowl
One bottle is empty (with cap on), one is ½ filled with water (with cap on), one is completely filled with water (with cap on). The narration will direct the experiment and provide questions for the students to answer. Encourage group observations and discussions.

"Crate and Barrel Game"
Touch-screen game - Students drag barrels and crates one at a time as they load a boat on the Learning Station. As the items are placed on the boat, a sound effect will indicate that it is loaded. If too many items are loaded, the boat will sink. The boat sinks slowly, so students can count how many items they think would be the correct amount. A reset button on the screen allows the game to be replayed. Activate the fast-forward button to advance the program.

"Ship Designer"
Hands-on activity - After the narration discusses different boat composition, students create their own boats using supplies provided by the teacher. Some materials to use can include margarine containers, milk or juice boxes with one side removed, cups or soda bottles. Add craft sticks for decoration or paddles. Toothpicks or straws stuck into a small piece of clay can provide a mast for a paper or tissue sail. You may want to encourage teamwork by dividing the class into teams to build a 'team boat'. These can be named and/or numbered. If there is time, test the floatation ability of the boats and talk about their design. Pictures of Little Froggy and his pond filled with obstacles are provided on the disk for students to take home. Instruct the children to circle the items that float.

Supply List for Activities
"Today I Learned" - parents handout
large paper or chalk board with water line drawn for students to add boats
paper, markers, scissors to create boats to place on water line
aluminum trays to crumble (to sink in water)
aluminum trays to serve as boats, coins or metal washers to weight boats
large pan of water to float 'boats'
3 clear plastic containers (soda or water bottles) - 3 per team
supplies to build boat models - i.e., margarine tubs, plastic bottles, lids, milk cartons, paper sails to attach with clay and toothpicks, paper towel rolls for smokestacks, etc.
videotape