Materials
Chart paper Markers
Small plastic container Water in container
Medicine droppers
Small pieces of various materials: newspaper, magazines, tissue paper, paper towels, plastic wrap, fabric cardboard, wax paper, piece of vinyl, wood, metal, aluminum foil, drawing paper, brick, etc.
Instructions
1. Ahead of time, make up a chart labeled "Repel" and "Absorb" with pictures for the childrento record their findings.
2. The children drop water on the sample pieces of materialand observe what happens. Does it absorb wateror not?3. The children then place the item on the chart in the right category.
4. When they have tried all the available materials, they can recheck. Did any of the materialsthat were originally placed in the repel category eventually absorb water?More to doArt: Do a crayon resist picture to show how wax repels water.More science: Talk about how raincoats and boots help keep us dry. Ask why. What aboutumbrellas? Tents? Houses? How do ducks keep dry? This could lead to further investigation withoil and water.
