Skill Area

Goal:

To observe what happens when seltzer tablets are placed in cold and hot water.

Materials:

- 2 small clear plastic cups
- 2 seltzer tablets

Procedures:

1. Prepare cold water by placing several ice cubes in one cup of water.
2. Pour cold water into a plastic cup and have your child draw the cup and water in the space labeled A on the Bubble Bubble Data Sheet.

3. Drop a seltzer tablet in the cold water and watch what happens.
4. Invite your child to draw what happened in the space labeled 6 on the data sheet.
5. Record your child’s observations about the investigation on the back of the data sheet.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 using one cup of hot tap water instead of cold water. Have your child make “before and after” drawings in the spaces labeled C and D and record his or her observations.

Questions to Ask:

- What happened when we dropped the first tablet in the cold water?
- Where do you think the bubbles went?
- What was the difference when we used hot instead of cold water? (Action of bubbles is louder and faster.)
- Describe any odor you noticed. (You may notice a medicinal smell.)

Additional Investigations:

- Try dissolving seltzer tablets in other liquids, such as soft drinks, vinegar, or fruit juice.
- Place a tablet in a plastic zipper bag, add a small amount of water, seal the bag, and watch what happens.
- See how long it takes to dissolve tablets in water of varying temperatures.

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Goals:

- To observe objects with a hand lens.

Materials:

- Hand lens (magnifying glass)
- Objects to observe

Procedure:

1. Gather several objects for your child to observe.
Interesting things to look at might include salt, flower petals, leaves, wood, watches, jewelry, or rocks.
2. Ask your child to observe each object twice—first without the hand lens and then with the hand lens.
3. Encourage your child to draw what he or she sees on the Now You See It! Data Sheet.

Questions to ask:

- How does the object look without the hand lens?
- What can you learn by using a hand lens?
- Are there other ways to make things look bigger? What are they?
- Can you find any lenses around the house?
- What else would you like to examine with a hand lens?

Additional Investigations:

- Place a little water in a clear glass. Tip the glass toward you and look through the water at the print on this page How does it look? (Print will appear larger and somewhat distorted.)
- Lay a piece of clear plastic wrap over this page. Place a large drop of water on the plastic wrap. Look at the print through the water drop from above and from the side. What appears to be happening? (Print will appear to rise from the paper.)
- Fill a glass half full of water. Place a pencil in the glass. How does the pencil look in the water? How does it appear to change as it enters the water? (Pencil will appear broken or bent at the point of entry.)