Earth day is a fun time to learn about our planet and I’m including water density experiments too. Also, look at my page Free Earth Science Lapbook & Unit Study Ideas.
So, we’re learning about water stratification by doing this fun skittles earth day activity.
This experiment is a fun way to learn about how water moves and how colors mix. And to ponder what happens when hot and cold mix.
Before you get started on the activity, ask your kids about what they know about the temperature of water in a lake versus an ocean.
For example, the water at the surface may be warmer because it’s been heated by the sun.
However, the water deeper won’t be as warm because the sun doesn’t reach it.
BOOKS ABOUT EARTH SCIENCE
Too, add some of these books about earth science to your reading day.
9 Books for Kids Who Love to Read About Earth Science Topics
Add these books to your learning day to learn about various earth science topics.
The wonders of plant and animal life told with rare literary charm by Uncle Paul in conversations with three children. Besides such stories as the ants' subterranean city, the spider's suspension bridge, and the caterpillars' processing, he unlocks the mystery behind thunder and lightning, clouds and rain, the year and its seasons, and volcanoes and earthquakes. Suitable for ages 9 to 12.
Some earthquakes are so small that you don’t even feel them, while others can make even big buildings shake. Learn why earthquakes happen, where they are most likely to occur, and what to do if one happens near you.
Now with updated text and art, this classic picture book describes the causes and effects of earthquakes (including a tsunami). This book features rich vocabulary and fascinating cross-sections of mountains, volcanoes, and faults in the earth’s moving crust.
This is a clear and appealing science book for early elementary age kids, both at home and in the classroom. The text and art were vetted by Dr. Roland Burgmann, Professor of the Department of Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Berkeley.
A republication of the 1958 book by Irene Sevrey with illustrations by Mildred Waltrip, The First Book of the Earth is an elementary level natural history book that was written during a time when children's books held a student's interest and imagination because they were "living" rather than simply based on factoids and vivid pictures. It is a wonderful introduction to the subject of geology and covers the earth as a planet in the solar system and the physics of how it circles the sun, thereby defining our days and years. It then moves on to describing the earth's origin as scientists understand it and takes up the topics of the earth's composition, its structure, molecular makeup, rock families, minerals, volcanoes and earthquakes, mountains and their formation, and how glaciers and rivers affect the shaping of the earth's surface. The book ends by briefly discussing dinosaurs and the possible aging techniques used to date the earth's age in terms of epochs or periods.
This handy identification guide to the most common kinds of rocks and minerals offers concise and fascinating information on:- Physical and chemical properties- Origins and geologic significance- Gems and semiprecious stones- How to find and collect specimens
Beginning with Mt. Vesuvius, whose eruption in Roman times helped spark the science of geology, and ending in a lab in the West of England where mathematical models and lab experiments replace direct observation, Richard Fortey tells us what the present says about ancient geologic processes. He shows how plate tectonics came to rule the geophysical landscape and how the evidence is written in the hills and in the stones. And in the process, he takes us on a wonderful journey around the globe to visit some of the most fascinating and intriguing spots on the planet.
A book about caves with drawings for young readers with a vocabulary list and definition at the end.
A guide to familiar minerals, gems, ores, and rocks enhanced by 400 full color illustrations. Provides much geological knowledge in how to look for surface forms, rocks, minerals etc. Includes information for the searcher and an useful list of clubs and organizations. Excellent bibliography and index.
For Vega and her family, salmon is life. And Vega is learning to be a salmon finder, preparing for the day when she will be her family’s matriarch. But then she and her brother Deneb are separated from their pod when a devastating earthquake and tsunami render the seascape unrecognizable. Vega must use every skill she has to lead her brother back to their family. The young orcas face a shark attack, hunger, the deep ocean, and polluted waters on their journey. Will Vega become the leader she’s destined to be?
A living book on the living earth. Told in a conversational style, the book discusses the topics of geology and provides ideas for investigations and demonstrations of the scientific principles. Illustrated throughout, this book is a favorite as an introduction to geology for young readers. This edition includes updated science information on plate tectonics and the structure of the earth.
Next, here are some more earth day activities.
EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES
- 8 Earth Day Facts | How to Make a Recycled Robot
- How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables
- How to Make a Civil War Style Upcycled Necklace | 7 Little Women Book Facts
- Get a whole other life from your egg cartons and have a simple science lesson with an Egg Carton Sea Turtle Life Cycle Activity.
- Fun Upcycled T Shirt Library Tote Back to School Kids Craft
Also, here are some facts about water density to help as you do the skittle experiment.
MORE DENSITY WATER EXPERIMENTS
- The Easy Sink Or Float Orange Density Experiment For Kids
- Does it dissolve?
- Quick Unit Study & Easy Salt water Density Ocean Science Experiments
- Oil and water experiment
- Learn about the layers of density in this How to Make a Cool Fibonacci Lemonade and 8 Things to Learn about Fibonacci activity.
- How Do Sharks Float STEM Activity Free Shark Unit Study & Notebooking Pages
And look at some facts about water stratification.
WHAT IS WATER STRATIFICATION
Water stratification happens when water forms layers based on temperature.
Hot water is lighter than cold water.
When water is heated by the sun, it becomes less dense and wants to float on top of cooler, denser water.
This is why oceans, lakes, and even swimming pools have layers of water that are different temperatures.
Finally, look at this fun skittles activity to celebrate earth day with a science twist.
HOW TO DO A SKITTLES EARTH DAY EXPERIMENT
Supplies:
- Blue and green Skittles (found in Berry Skittles)
- Plate (with a raised edge)
- ¼ -½ C warm water
First, gather all the supplies needed.
Add blue and green Skittles around the edge of the plate.
And in the middle of the plate, make some green land formations.
Carefully add warm water to the center of the plate.
Add only enough to cover the bottom of the Skittles.
Enjoy as the earth appears!
*Try different sugar-coated candies
*Try with cold water or hot water!
- Why do the colors spread? Because of the sugar coating!
The sugar and food coloring dissolve into the warm water and then spread through the water.
- Why don’t the colors mix? Water stratification!
Each Skittle has sugar and food coloring which are made up of different masses with different properties.
That creates a barrier that stops the colors from mixing.
