Mad Scientist

In first grade, each student gets an opportunity to be the Scientist of the Week. Max's turn was during the week of snow/ice days, so it was rescheduled for this past Tuesday. The student is to come up with the science project and must "teach" the lesson to the class with very little help from the teacher.

Some time ago, Max was watching the History channel and saw a program on ships. They talked about the Greek scientist, Archimedes, who figured out the law of buoyancy and water displacement. Max immediately decided he wanted to show this to his class.

So, here is his experiment:

Both of these containers are the same weight, but different shapes.

First, he showed how heavy objects, that would otherwise sink in water, would float in a long container.

As he loaded those heavy objects in the long container, they floated displacing the water.

Now, for the smaller container.

The container was unable to hold the same amount of weight and thus sunk. This is why large long boats are used to transport weight.

At least I think that is the gist of it! That is why Max did the experiment and I just watched. I am already being passed over in the science department by my little mad scientist! Just as I think Cate will go into the arts in some way, I swear this kid is going to be an engineer with that analytical mind of his.