Do Pumpkins Sink or Float

This week, Pre-Primary students were introduced to the scientific process in the pumpkin sink or float challenge. Each child picked out their own pumpkin to test. Gathered in a group, they made observations about their pumpkins noting the shapes, sizes, various colors, and whether or not the stem was still attached. Then, exploring the concept of scale, they lined the pumpkins up in order of smallest to largest.

At the water tub, they made predictions about whether or not their pumpkins would sink or float. Most children hypothesized that their pumpkins would sink based on the weight of the pumpkins. Students were overwhelmed with surprise as each pumpkin, no matter how small or large, managed to float, rather than sink to the bottom. Children discussed why their pumpkins floated. One student observed, "I put it in too slow." The child tried putting the pumpkin in faster, but it still floated to the top! Other children guessed, “One side is bigger than the other," "the stem is curved." There’s so much more to test and explore!