Buoyancy Web Quest

Introduction
Does steel sink or float? Why are ships that weigh millions of pounds capable of sailing with thousands of people on board (even carrying cars and lots of cargo!)? Why are loggers capable of floating 200 year old trees down a river, but  their glasses (weighing only grams!) would fall to the bottom of the river? Why does it hurt more if you are hit in the head with a baseball than with a Nerf football? All of these can be answered with one simple concept--density! Density shapes the way that we live, and the very fact that we can exist on earth. Most objects are more dense as a solid than they are as a liquid or gas. Water is a rare exception in that its solid form (ice) floats in the liquid water. If this were not so, no aquatic wildlife would survive the winter! In this activity, we will explore density and the related topic of buoyancy.

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The Task
You will:
•Gather information related to density and buoyancy (see below)
•Analyze validity of information and relevance to our needs
•Determine exactly what causes an object to sink or float
•Know how to solve problems that calculate density, volume, and mass
•Synthesize the information into a single presentation format
•Create a project pertaining to these ideas.

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The End Products:
Your group will create a final synthesis of your research. This project will answer the following big question:
•How do you determine if an object will sink or float?

During your research, you will find a great deal of information dealing with density and buoyancy (see "Focus Questions and Links" below) that will need to be included in your project. You will need to be selective in which information you include, but a reader should be able to answer the questions posed in the Focus Questions by the research that you present. Some ideas for your presentation (you get to choose!):

Project ( Choose 1)
•Storybook/picturebook--designed for young readers
•Newspaper pull-out section--including a variety of short, catchy articles that grab the readers' attention
•Mini-magazine - designed for students your own age.
 

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The Process
1. Participate in an assigned group of 2-3 fellow "scientists," paying particular attention to your role (see next section)
2. Divide up the roles and questions that each member must answer.
2. Use the internet to compile information
3. Analyze the information to determine the relevance of the information to our project
4. Evaluate the possible methods of presentation based on your group's strengths and interests
5. Synthesize the information into a presentable format (include the answers to your research questions)
6. Submit the work (your project) to your teacher
7. Present your project to the class

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Your Group Roles
In order to have an effective group, each of you must do your part. In addition to having specific questions that you must answer, you will have a role to play in the preparation of the final presentation. To help you do this, the following roles will be determined within your group:
•Fact Finder--ALL members of the group will complete the research
1. Artist/Graphic designer--Ensure that your presentation has excellent visual appeal!
2. Writer--Ensure that the necessary research of team members is well written and organized and help the presenter to write his or her script!
3. Editor/Organizer--Ensure that the spelling, organization, grammar, etc. is PERFECT in your project
- Ensure that all deadlines and expectations for group members are met and the project is organized and complete before you turn it in
4. Presenter-- You will be expected to present your group's final project to the class in an entertaining and informative fashion (5 to 7 minute presentation max)

NOTE: You are responsible (will be held accountable) to make sure that your role is completed well. This does not mean that YOU have to do all of the work for your role...you may seek help from others in your group. You can "recruit" other members of the group as needed!

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My Role as Teacher
I will serve as a facilitator, not a fact finder. Your group can ask me only a limited number of questions. I will serve to troubleshoot technical difficulties, and provide interpretations when confusing material is encountered. I will encourage collaborative dialogue between your group members and monitor individual contributions as needed.

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Focus Questions and Links

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Evaluation
 

Conclusion
We have seen that density and buoyancy are important concepts to our survival (both in this class and for fish!). Calculations can easily be accomplished to find a material's density when given the mass and volume. More importantly, however, density is a characteristic physical property that is used to accomplish a variety of tasks and explain numerous natural phenomena.

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Credits and References
 http://www3.district125.k12.il.us/faculty/bfisher/Densitywebquest.htm

This material is also aligned with the Illinois Science Learning Standards.

Tugboat graphic from Jeff a.k.a. "The Wizard of Draws" Bucchino
 

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