Pumpkin Science Fun

Ciara McNearly

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Pumpkin Science Fun

Explore buoyancy and density using pumpkins

Students will perform simple experiments to explore the properties of pumpkins, including buoyancy and density. This lesson aims to foster curiosity and understanding of basic scientific principles in a fun and engaging way.

Audience

Believers (ages 7-8)

Time

1 hour

Approach

Explore buoyancy and density using pumpkins

Materials

Pumpkins (various sizes), Large container of water, Scale, Rulers, Worksheet, and Discussion guide

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a brief discussion about pumpkins. Ask questions like: Have you ever carved a pumpkin? What did you find inside?
Introduce the idea that pumpkins can be used for science experiments to learn about buoyancy (whether things float or sink) and density (how heavy something is for its size).

Step 2

Buoyancy Experiment

15 mins

Divide students into small groups and give each group a small pumpkin and a large container of water.
Ask students to predict whether their pumpkin will float or sink and write it down on their worksheet.
Have students place their pumpkins in the water and observe what happens. Record their observations on the worksheet.

Step 3

Density Experiment

20 mins

Explain that density is how much something weighs for its size.
Weigh a pumpkin and measure its dimensions (height and circumference). Record these values.
Calculate density using the formula: density = mass/volume (explain this in simple terms). Compare the density of various pumpkins on the worksheet.

Step 4

Conclusion and Discussion

15 mins

Gather students and discuss their findings. Use the discussion guide to facilitate conversation.
Ask students what surprised them about the experiments.
Discuss how scientists use experiments to learn about the world.

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Discussion

Pumpkin Science Discussion Guide

Guide to help facilitate a thoughtful discussion about the pumpkin experiments.

What did you think would happen when you put the pumpkin in the water?

Encourage students to share their predictions and whether they were correct. Discuss why some predictions might have been different.

Did all the pumpkins behave the same way in the water? Why or why not?

Guide conversation to explore the idea that different pumpkins might float or sink based on differences in size and density.

What did you learn about density from weighing and measuring the pumpkins?

Discuss the concept of density and how it relates to real-world objects. Encourage students to think about other examples of density.

Worksheet

Pumpkin Science Worksheet

Worksheet for students to record their predictions, observations, and calculations during the pumpkin experiments.

Predict whether the pumpkin will float or sink. Write down your prediction:

Circle one: FLOAT or SINK

Observe what happens when you place the pumpkin in water. Write your observation:

Did the pumpkin float or sink? Describe what you saw.

Weigh the pumpkin and measure its dimensions. Record the weight and size:

Weight: _______ Size: _______

Calculate the pumpkin's density using the formula density = mass/volume. Write down the density:

Make sure to use the correct units for mass and volume.