Science Fair

Every June our third, fourth, and fifth graders compete in an science fair. They work in groups of three and for weeks they conduct experiments. To involve our younger grades and help increase interest in science, every classroom grades K-2 explore the scientific process and conduct an experiment. This year we decided to work on absorption. The students started by asking questions about how plants absorb water. We conducted the generic colored water and flower experiment first. Students observed how the water is absorbed into the stem and traveled all the way to the petals. They turned blue!  After discussion and research on plant cells, the students wanted more. I found some great ideas on Pinterest and below are the results.

We started by placing a circular dot about the size of a quarter.  This team had red and orange markers.  We put about an inch of water in the bucket and placed the paper towel side without the dot in the water. 

This group used blue and purple markers. 

This experiment was just as easy and I had all of the materials in my cupboards. Place a paper towel from each cup and see what happens. Best results in 24 hours. 

The kids had learned all about primary colors in Art so their prediction about the color that would end up in the middle cup was right on!