Materials List: Sink or Float? Engineering Solutions for a Sticky Situation

Each group needs:

To share with the entire class:

  • can of diet Coke
  • can of regular Coke
  • large plastic container (that can hold at least 19 L (20 quarts))
  • assortment of objects for testing sink/float on Day 2. Examples: paper clips, Popsicle sticks, pennies, sticks, spoons, apples, plastic spoons, etc.
  • box of gelatin packs (containing 36 packets), available online
  • 2.3 kg (5 lb) sand (aquarium sand works well), available online
  • 2.3 kg (5 lb) pebbles (aquarium gravel works well), available online
  • 2.3 kg (5 lb) marbles (clear glass 13 mm (0.5-in) diameter marbles)
  • assortment of less dense objects such as mini-marshmallow, mini corks, rice krispies, rubber bands, etc. 
  • progressive measuring cups (1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 2/3 cup, 3/4 cup and 1 cup)
  • access to a refrigerator (to make Jell-O)
  • access to hot and cold water (to make Jell-O and for the whole group sink/float activity)
  • laptop and screen to show class a PowerPoint presentation and video
  • pictures of a set of keys, a rock, a beach ball, a car and a pumpkin (for the pre/post-quiz)
  • Book “Sheep in a Jeep” by Nancy Shaw (alternative: read along video on YouTube)

Each student needs:

https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/uof-2498-engineering-solutions-sticky-situation-design