Buoyancy Program

Grade 2 -3

Students work in groups to understand the basic principles of buoyancy; weight and surface area. 

Interactive activities include floating a variety of objects in small water tables and making clay boats to study the effect of surface area.  

At the end we will discuss why the harbour is important to Owen Sound and compare the variety of ships that have been built or docked in Owen Sound. 

Grade Level:                             Grade Two (2) and Grade Three (3)

Subject:                                      Science & Technology

Curriculum Strand:                Understanding Matter and Energy (2);

                                                     Understanding Structures and Mechanisms (3);

Curriculum Topic:     

• Properties of Liquids and Solids (2);
• Air and Water in the Environment (2);
• Strong and Stable Structures(3);
• Forces Causing Movement (3)

Specific Expectations:

Grade Two   Understanding Matter and Energy; Properties of Liquids and Solids

• Use scientific inquiry/experimentation skills to investigate liquids and solids in terms of their capacity for buoyancy.
• Use technological problem-solving skills, and knowledge acquired from previous investigations, to design, build, and test a structure that involves interactions between liquids and solids.  
• Use appropriate science and technology vocabulary, including clear, opaque, runny, hard, greasy, and granular, in oral and written communication.  -  Vocabulary includes buoyancy, gravity, force and surface area

Grade Two   Understanding Earth and Space Systems; Air and Water in the Environment

• Describe ways in which living things, including humans, depend on air and water.  

Grade Three   Understanding Structures and Mechanisms; Strong and Stable Structures

• Describe ways in which different forces can affect the shape, balance, or position of structures.  - We discuss the forces of buoyancy and gravity on objects and how these forces make things float.
• Identify properties of materials (e.g., strength, flexibility, durability) that need to be considered when building structures. - Students consider surface area and weight while building clay boats

Grade Three   Understanding Matter and Energy; Forces Causing Movement

• Conduct investigations to determine the effects of increasing or decreasing the amount of force applied to an object. - Changing the surface area or weight of an object changes the force with which gravity acts on the object, relative to buoyancy.
• Use technological problem-solving skills, and knowledge acquired from previous investigations, to design and build devices that use forces to create controlled movement.  Students are given the opportunity to draw a boat of the future and describe the forces that propel it. – additional activity for in-class program

Duration: 1.5 hours

Why not include a tour of the Chi-Cheemaun on your next class trip?  Tours are available from November to mid April.

*** This program is also offered in the classroom – contact the Community & Education Coordinator for details ***