STEM Lesson Plan Flinkers
Grades K-2
Dates: _______________________________________
Standards: 19926
Science
Technology
Engineering
SC.1.N.1.1 Raise questions about the natural world, investigate
them in teams through free exploration, and generate
appropriate explanation based on those explorations
SC.2.N.1.1
Innovative Designer – Students use a variety of technologies
within a design process to identify and solve problems by
creating new, useful or imaginative solutions.
K-2-EFTS1-1 Ask questions, make observations and gather
information about a situation people want to change to define
a simple problem that can be solved through the development
of a new or improved object or tool
Math
I can statements:
Science
Technology
Engineering
Math
“I can… investigate the natural world and make observations
“I can…
“I can… use the EDP to complete a challenge
“I can…
Lesson/Activity:
Engage
Explore
Teacher demonstration would be to take different weights (pennies, washers, etc.) and
plastic Easter eggs.
Fill the eggs with different weights and depending on the weights inside the eggs they
will either sink, float, or flink when placed into a container of water. Students can test the
eggs and sort them by weight and collaborate to discuss their results. They can confirm
whether the weight of one egg compared to the weight of another egg is heavier or
lighter by testing their buoyancy - the heavier the egg the greater probability it will sink,
the lighter the egg the greater probability it will float.
(If no plastic eggs available students can test materials without the eggs) (DAY 1)
Explain
1.
2.
3.
4.
Can you make a "flinker"-something that you put in a pitcher of water that
doesn't float on the top or sink to the bottom, but just flinks in the middle
of the water? Your flinker has to flink for 10 seconds. Design your own
flinker using styrofoam peanuts, string and washers or pennies.
Test it in the water, then change one thing at a time in your design to make
your flinker work better. What can you change to make it flink? Could you
attach washers or pennies to your Styrofoam peanut with string? Or, could
you change the shape of the Styrofoam?
Try to get it to flink for at least 10 seconds.
Remember, a Flinker's a Flinker because it doesn't float, it doesn't sink, it
flinks!
5.
Extend
Evaluate
DAY 2
Students will present their flinker to class. Record timed results on chart paper and make
conclusion as to why some flinkers worked better
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN2GjYIuQoY
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