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Kreative Kiddos is a student empowered organization aimed at bringing interactive and exhilarating STEAM enrichment workshops to aspiring Kiddos.
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We have done/planned engaging STEAM lessons such as...
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Sample Investigation: Surface Tension Art
Activity Summary
In this activity, we integrate science and art for students to observe, interact, and utilize the phenomenon of surface tension. The kids will conduct an experiment related to the properties of surface tension. Older ages can also take an advanced understanding of the topic by discussing how an understanding of surface tension can be applied to solve real-world scientific problems.
Learning Objectives
After this activity, students should be able to:
Materials List
Each group needs:
In this activity, we integrate science and art for students to observe, interact, and utilize the phenomenon of surface tension. The kids will conduct an experiment related to the properties of surface tension. Older ages can also take an advanced understanding of the topic by discussing how an understanding of surface tension can be applied to solve real-world scientific problems.
Learning Objectives
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Define water surface tension.
- Explain how surface tension can affect objects (ie:ink).
- Describe why ink forms circular shapes when applied to the surface of water.
- Relate how a process used to make art prints could be applied in a similar manner to clean up oil spills.
Materials List
Each group needs:
- 1 plastic container (preferably large and clear)
- Construction paper
- Light ink colors (ie: yellow, pink, light blue, and white)
- 1 divided container to hold various colors of ink (half an ice tray works best)
- 1 dropper, full of 4 different colored inks
- Water
- Paper towels
- 3 metal paper clips
- 2 forks (preferably metal, if not, plastic)
- First off, explain to students that the ink has its own surface tension and is made of molecules attracted to one another. However, also due to the ink's surface tension, the molecules want to stay together rather than mix with the water molecules. The result of these two forces results in the forming of a circular shape. To reinforce the logic of this, have the students do a quick exercise: Have all students hold hands. Then ask everyone to slowly spread out (like the ink did on the water) as far as they can while still staying together. The result is that the students form a circle or blob shape just like the ink!
- Share with students that what they are seeing is called a monolayer, when the ink has spread out as far as it can on the surface to the point at which the ink is only one molecule thick!
- Continue the demonstration by adding a few more drops of ink to the surface of the water. As simple as this sounds, it is mesmerizing for children and adults. After you have created a beautiful image on the water, hold a piece of construction paper a few centimeters above the water and gently drop it. Do not submerge the paper! The paper floats on the surface of the water and an amazing and unexpected thing happens. If the paper is thin enough, it sits on the water surface for about two seconds, and then the paper darkens as the ink is absorbed and the image is transferred directly onto the paper. Gently lift the floating paper from the container, take a look at the just-created monoprint and blot your work of art with paper towels to help it dry. Do not worry about the paper towels taking away the ink. The ink is locked into the paper and cannot be wiped away.
- Capillary action is the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of, and in opposition to, external forces like gravity. It is due to capillary action that the construction paper is able to absorb and lift the ink off the surface of the water.
- Have students spend the remainder of the class making prints and using paper towels to blot them dry. To save counter space, have students place their blotted prints in one pile, with a towel between each print. The paper towels absorbs excess water and helps the prints dry faster.
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