Primary natural science

Students kit Floating and sinking

Investigating Floating, Sinking and Water Displacement

Grade level: Grades 2–3
Number of students: 16–28 students
Materials: for up to 12 working groups
Use: Student experiments on floating and sinking, material properties, shape, water displacement, buoyancy, load capacity and surface tension

With the Students kit Floating and sinking, students investigate fundamental principles that determine how objects behave in water. At different experiment stations, they observe, compare and test various factors and gradually develop an understanding of why objects float or sink.

A central part of the activities involves making boats from two different types of modelling clay. One type is less dense than water and floats, while the heavier modelling clay initially sinks. However, when the heavier clay is shaped into a suitable hollow form, it can also float. This allows students to experience directly that not only the material but also the shape of an object influences whether it floats or sinks.

Spheres and cubes made from wood, steel, aluminium and different plastics provide further opportunities for investigation. Students compare mass, material and volume and observe how objects displace water when immersed. Using balances, they can also investigate how the apparent weight of an object changes in water.

Further stations focus on the loading and carrying capacity of boats, possible reasons why boats sink and the surface tension of water. In addition to learning fundamental physical principles, students practise scientific skills such as careful observation, comparison and conducting experiments under consistent conditions.

The picture shows a red suitcase equipped with various experimental materials, including modeling clay, beakers, rulers and various tools. The suitcase is neatly organized so that the materials for school experiments are easy to access.
The picture shows a red suitcase equipped with various experimental materials, including modeling clay, beakers, rulers and various tools. The suitcase is neatly organized so that the materials for school experiments are easy to access.
The picture shows a red colored experiment case with different materials for learning about the topic "floating and sinking". Inside there are several containers, measuring devices and instructions that are sufficient for experiments in the educational field.
The picture shows a sorted experiment box with various materials, including modeling clay, measuring cylinders, weights and various components such as balls and pieces of wood. The contents are clearly arranged in compartments, ideal for school experiments.
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The picture shows an arrangement of experimental equipment, including several transparent cylinders and mechanical components in a padded box. The parts appear to be designed for experimental purposes in the educational field and are safely stored
The picture shows a red plastic case with a foam insert in which several transparent tubes are sorted. The accessory seems to be designed for experimental purposes in the educational field.
The picture shows a brochure entitled "Floating and Sinking" from an experiment set for the educational sector. It shows children experimenting and learning together with a teacher at a table.
The image shows instructions for an experiment that investigates why a ball floats. It lists the materials needed, including light and heavy clay and other utensils for conducting the experiment.
The picture shows a set for experimental purposes in education, consisting of various materials and utensils. These include a measuring cup, a scale, craft materials and instructions on the topic of "floating and sinking".
The picture shows instructions for an experiment in the area of "floating and sinking". It describes station 4, which deals with questions about the interaction of a ball with water, and lists the materials needed.
The picture shows an experiment set on the topic of "floating and sinking" which contains various materials such as balls and measuring cups. Also visible are instructions and a yellow container which can be used for practical experiments in education.
The picture shows two children sitting at a table, eagerly observing an experiment with a glass carafe containing water and colorful figures. Around them are other experiment materials and notepads, which suggests a learning story in
The picture shows two children who are curiously conducting an experiment. In front of them is a device with a yellow ball, while they are concentrating on a sheet of paper with instructions.
The picture shows several children standing at an experiment table, working with various materials from a green foam box. They appear to be focused as they work on their projects in the classroom.
The picture shows two children working in an experiment area with two cylinders filled with a clear liquid. One cylinder contains a yellow object and the other a red element, while the children mix the objects with
The picture shows a weighted levitation device used to determine the buoyancy of a body in water. A cup of water is held in the hand while a measuring scale and a spring balance are used for accurate weight analysis.
The picture shows a girl working concentratedly on an experiment using a yellow bowl with red liquid and several labelled sticks. In the background you can see tables and a classroom atmosphere that is typical for school

item number 31900

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Technical specifications

Size of kit: 540 x 450 x 150 mm

The main goal of this tutorial is the ability to divide the dough into equal portions in the box.


The children fill mini cups with water and modeling clay of different weights. You watch what happens to the putty.


The children form balls of different sizes from the two types of play dough and drop them into the water after they have determined the mass with the scales.


The learning outcome from working on station 3 lies in the realization that hardly any ship floats anymore because the material from which it was built also does. In addition, the children learn to name the materials and can – in a simple context – give examples of ships and boats.


Here the children find out that all balls of the same size displace the same amount of water, regardless of their mass!


The children can easily see the reason why the amounts of clay must be the same, even if they reason with terms like "fair". Here, in conversations, there is a good opportunity to propaedeutically discuss the conditions under which scientific experiments become meaningful.


The children realize that the ship is already displacing water when you put it in the water and even more when you load it.


The children like to deal with sinking and find at least the possibilities mentioned in the "solution hiding place". Some of the terms mentioned there are new to many students (leak, capsize, fill with water).


If we hang the two weights in the water on the "fishing rod" - what will happen? Will there be a difference?


We will shortly provide you with a description of the experiment at this point.


This beetle's "trick" is to use the surface tension of water. As the children find out in their experiments with thin discs of different sizes made of "heavy" modeling clay, we also succeed in this "trick".


We will shortly provide you with a description of the experiment at this point.


We will shortly provide you with a description of the experiment at this point.


We will shortly provide you with a description of the experiment at this point.


The children form a portion of modeling clay – which is a low cylinder at the beginning – first into a cube, then into a/one... and keep putting it into the water - no body floats. Only the hollow, bowl-shaped body floats.


We will shortly provide you with a description of the experiment at this point.


  • 1 ×
  • 1 × Packet of heavy modelling clay, red
  • 2 × Plastic box 140/50/35 mm
  • 1 ×
  • 3 × Ball, nickel-plated steel
  • 3 ×
  • 5 × Dial balance, 100 g
  • 12 × Water dish
  • 6 ×
  • 12 × Plastic beaker, 250 ml, with scale
  • 1 ×
  • 3 × Plastic ball, POM, 25 mm Ø
  • 3 × Wooden ball, 25 mm Ø
  • 1 ×
  • 3 × Teaspoon
  • 3 × Plastic ball, PP, 25 mm Ø
  • 1 × Overflow beaker
  • 12 × Mat
  • 8 × Pastry cutter, aluminium,25 mm
  • 12 × Plastic knife
  • 1 × Cleaning cloth
  • 6 × Graduated cylinder, 60 ml
  • 1 × Storing diagram,int.vers.
  • 1 × Foam insert 1 for 31900, 505x355x45 mm
  • 3 × Aluminium cube 18x18x18mm
  • 1 × Foam insert 2 for 31900, 515x370x95 mm
  • 4 × Plastic box 60x60x30 mm
  • 5 × Fishing rod with string and hook
  • 11 × Beaker, plastic 30 ml
  • 2 ×
  • 12 ×