And here’s how it works:
- For each topic, such as ‘Air’, there are separate stories – for the extra-terrestrial creature, they are episodes. The key points arising from an episode always lead to a concrete topic of instruction, e. g. “Air has a weight”.
- The episode incites the children to develop their own questions and conjectures. The concept story helps them do so.
- This enables each child to reach the intended conclusions individually at their own pace and in their own way. There is no right or wrong here, detours are permitted.
- The materials are precisely matched to the content of the episode, thereby maintaining motivation through‧out the duration of the experiment.
- This is investigative discovery learning, which furthermore demands social skills because problems are solved together.
- The observations and findings can be recorded in the logbook individually according to the abilities of the child.
 
Episodes
Children learn about water and its properties
Episode 1: Off we go on a water adventure
Swimming, sinking and diving
Episode 2: Of Frogs and Flumes
Water in motion / water resistance
Episode 3: Waves, Whirlpools and Pirates
Water solubility / plant growth
Episode 4: I drink, you drink – who else ?
Physical states of water / weather
Episode 5: Rain, snow – oh no, oh no !

• 1 - Getting to know water through the senses (Episode 1)

  experiment "Getting to know water through the senses (Episode 1)"

  Children explore the properties of water using their senses. The aim is to feel water, to examine the taste and the color of water. The conditions for a reflective surface can be experienced. Sounds in and under water, of and with water are explored.

  

  
  
• 2 - Water and Optical Illusions (Episode 1)

  experiment "Water and Optical Illusions (Episode 1)"

  The first experiences with optical illusions in the transition from air to water are made. The "bend in the drinking straw" as well as the reversal of direction at "Jojo" behind the pipe fascinate the children.

  

  
  
• 3 - Water (Drops) as a Magnifying Glass (Episode 1)

  experiment "Water (Drops) as a Magnifying Glass (Episode 1)"

  Students explore how water drops can be transported in different ways. The functionality of the pipette is tested. The children learn that water in a cylindrical cup as well as a spherical drop has a magnifying effect.

  

  
  
• 4 - Water has an "adhesive force" (Episode 1)

  experiment "Water has an "adhesive force" (Episode 1)"

  The physical characteristics of water (adhesive force, adhesion and cohesion) are explored with the help of the size-adjustable Vinus hands or paint paddles that stick together. Various small parts and everyday objects can be examined and compared with one another in terms of their properties with regard to adhesion to the Vinus hands.

  

  
  
• 5 - The "Water Mountain" (Episode 1)

  experiment "The "Water Mountain" (Episode 1)"

  The students investigate the surface tension of water as a "water mountain" on a coin or in a small, already overfilled cup. To do this, they practice fine motor skills with a pipette or drinking straw.

  

  
  
• 6 - Floating and Sinking (Episode 2)

  experiment "Floating and Sinking (Episode 2)"

  The phenomenon of buoyancy is explored and rules can be found for when materials and bodies float or sink. The properties of everyday materials provide clues that can be used to explain buoyancy and displacement.

  

  
  
• 7 - Using Buoyancy (Episode 2)

  experiment "Using Buoyancy (Episode 2)"

  Students apply creative solutions to make non-buoyant materials float using buoyant materials.

  
  
• 8 - Lotus leaf as a buoyancy aid (Episode 2)

  experiment "Lotus leaf as a buoyancy aid (Episode 2)"

  Through an enlarged support, the children get to know the principles of displacement and buoyancy of water.

  
  
• 9 - Vinus as a Diver (Episode 2)

  experiment "Vinus as a Diver (Episode 2)"

  The controlled descent and ascent in water is explored by the students. The functioning of the swim bladder in fish or the descent of submarines can be easily understood.

  

  
  
• 10 - Building Boats (Episode 2)

  experiment "Building Boats (Episode 2)"

  Children explore the principles of the shape and material composition of boats and develop their own buoyant constructions.

  

  
  
• 11 - Making Water Move (Episode 3)

  experiment "Making Water Move (Episode 3)"

  Using a variety of techniques and materials, the children imaginatively try to move the boat and surfboard in the tub. The creation of waves and the observation of this spread of movement of the water are studied with fascination.

  

  
  
• 12 - Creating Whirlpools / Water Tornado (Episode 3)

  experiment "Creating Whirlpools / Water Tornado (Episode 3)"

  Students explore the phenomenon of whirlpool formation as water spills out. With the help of the cooking spoon and vigorous stirring movements, funnel-shaped vortices ("water trunks") can be created.

  

  
  
• 13 - Buoyancy of boats (Episode 3)

  experiment "Buoyancy of boats (Episode 3)"

  Not only the existing watercraft (palm leaf boat and surfboard), but also self-constructed boats made of plasticine are carefully explored by the children in terms of their buoyancy.

  

  
  
• 14 - Water Resistance (Episode 3)

  experiment "Water Resistance (Episode 3)"

  The phenomenon of water resistance is studied and the relationship between area and resistance can be experienced and deduced.

  

  
  
• 15 - How do webbed feet work? (Episode 3)

  experiment "How do webbed feet work? (Episode 3)"

  Children learn in a unique way how webbed feet work in nature and can experience the principles on themselves with the help of the webbed feet in complete fascination.

  

  
  
• 16 - How Plants Drink (Paper Chromatography) (Episode 4)

  experiment "How Plants Drink (Paper Chromatography) (Episode 4)"

  Students* learn how plants drink and also that water can be moved against gravity (using the capillary suction effect). In the context of paper chromatography, the spread of color carried by water is shown.

  

  
  
• 17 - Magical Water Lily (Episode 4)

  experiment "Magical Water Lily (Episode 4)"

  Almost enchanted, the children experience the independent "blooming" of the folded water lily flower on the water.

  

  
  
• 18 - The Lotus Effect (Episode 4)

  experiment "The Lotus Effect (Episode 4)"

  The lotus effect is studied in detail by the children. The experiment materials are used as well as the nasturtium that they have grown themselves, which exhibits this effect wonderfully on its leaves. The leaves in the immediate vicinity can also be investigated and analyzed in a planned manner.

  

  
  
• 19 - Water Solubility (Episode 4)

  experiment "Water Solubility (Episode 4)"

  The students learn that substances do not simply disappear, but that sugar and salt, for example, can dissolve (in water). An extension of the experiment can be the separation of the substances that were initially combined.

  

  
  
• 20 - Plant Growth (Episode 4)

  experiment "Plant Growth (Episode 4)"

  The phenomena of germination and growth in plants are explored here. The children experience these processes and, in addition to the scientific laws, also learn about responsibility for nature and the handling and care of plant life.

  

  
  
• 21 - Dyeing Plants (Episode 4)

  experiment "Dyeing Plants (Episode 4)"

  Students experience the process of "drinking" in plants very vividly by leaving white flowering plants or vegetables such as celery in colored water for some time and observing the effects.

  

  
  
• 22 - Aggregate States of Water (Episode 5)

  experiment "Aggregate States of Water (Episode 5)"

  First experimental experiences with the different states of water are made. The children learn how the transitions of the states of matter solid to liquid (melting ice) and gaseous to liquid (condensation) can occur. Liquid to gaseous is examined in the homework area.

  

  
  
• 23 - Changes during freezing (Episode 5)

  experiment "Changes during freezing (Episode 5)"

  Students explore the changes in water when it freezes. For this purpose, self-collected natural objects are frozen in water and thawed again. In addition, a different salt content of the solution can become a research assignment.

  

  
  
• 24 - Examining ice (Episode 5)

  experiment "Examining ice (Episode 5)"

  The prepared ice (diamond and fish shapes) is examined by the children in terms of its properties: how do I get ice to melt? What happens to ice in water? What effects result (temperature differences, etc.)?

  

  
  
• 25 - Density Anomaly of Water (Episode 5)

  experiment "Density Anomaly of Water (Episode 5)"

  The phenomenon of density anomaly of water, which is essential for survival in nature, is sufficiently explored by the children.

  

  
  
• 26 - Fishing for Ice Cubes (Episode 5)

  experiment "Fishing for Ice Cubes (Episode 5)"

  The children investigate the question of why salt is spread on the roads in winter. With the help of a skill-building variant, they learn how ice can be melted by salt and even how small chunks can be fished with a string.

  

  
  
• 27 - Weather Observations (Episode 5)

  experiment "Weather Observations (Episode 5)"

  First experiences with weather phenomena and their systematic investigation are undertaken. Rain can be collected and evaporation can be studied in the classroom or at different temperatures and solar radiation (respectively near the heater in winter).

  

  
  

• 1 × Dropping pipette, plastic
• 2 × Dropping pipette, plastic
• 1 × Dye (food colouring), red
• 1 × Push-on connectors for filter tubes, red
• 1 × Filter tube with a hose connection
• 1 × Coarse sieve
• 1 × Mirror, polished aluminium
• 1 × BluTack
• 1 × Water tray with lid
• 1 × Bamboo drinking straw
• 1 × Stretch silicone lid
• 1 × Wooden surfboard with fin
• 1 × Palm leaf boat with fin
• 1 × Mini cooking spoon (wood)
• 1 × Pair of webbed, turquoise
• 1 × Pair of swimming gloves, turquoise
• 2 × Table runner, wax, 90 x 90 mm
• 1 × Small parts box Vinus
• 1 × Mech cup Vinus
• 1 × Cartesian diver, set of 3
• 1 × Plastic beaker, 100 ml
• 1 × Pack filter papers (100 pcs.)
• 1 × Rubber stopper with rim around
• 1 × Filter bowls with lids
• 1 × Cleaning cloth
• 1 × Balloon valve
• 1 × Packet of heavy modelling clay, red
• 1 × Color paddle, yellow
• 1 × Color paddle, red
• 1 × Color paddle, blue