Science Trivia
Created by:
Emily Atchley, University of Mississippi GK12 Fellow
Age Level:
Upper Elementary
Purpose:
These science trivia worksheets were created simply in
order to give students a chance to think about and have fun with
some interesting topics in science and the world around them.
Procedure:
Each science question is covered in 3 worksheets: an
introductory worksheet for the students, an informative
worksheet for the students, and an informative worksheet for
the teacher. A simple explanation is given to the students, where
the teacher’s information is given in greater depth. The following
questions are included:
a) Why does a ship float?
b) How does an airplane fly?
c) Why do people get the hiccups?
d) Why do we shiver when we are cold?
e) Why does our skin wrinkle in water?
I hope that you and your class will have fun exploring these
topics, and I am looking forward to adding questions to the list as
time goes by.
Science Question #1
Q: Why does a ship float?
Write your answer in the space below. You may also draw
a picture to illustrate your thoughts.
Science Question #1
Q: Why does a ship float?
A: Water has the ability to keep things afloat. If
the force of the water is greater than the force
of the ship, then the ship will float. But, the ship
will sink if it is too heavy or if it fills up with
water.
The deck of a ship acts like a cover for the
ship. The deck keeps water from coming inside and
making the ship too heavy.
Science Question #1
For the teacher:
It seems quite amazing that a ship made of a heavy material
such as steel is indeed able to float. There is an Archimedean
principle that enables us to understand how this is possible.
Archimedes stated that when an object is immersed in a body of
water, it is held up by a force equal to the weight of the water
that the object has displaced. The force acting on the object is
called buoyancy. Even a very heavy object like metal when shaped
like a bowl, for example, will float. The key is that the object
must displace enough water so that the buoyancy force acting
upon it is greater than the force of its own weight. Of course, if
the object fills with water it will sink anyway!
Experiment:
Using only a big bowl of water and several different objects,
you can allow the children to explore the principle of buoyancy
for themselves. Find a bowl or a cup that floats and explore what
happens when it fills with water. Would a lid for the bowl or cup
help to keep water out? Allow time for discovery and discussion.
Science Question #2
Q: How does an airplane fly?
Write your answer in the space below. You may also draw
a picture to illustrate your thoughts.
Science Question #2
Q: How does an airplane fly?
A: As the plane reaches a high speed, the wind
hitting the wings causes a powerful lifting force on
the plane. This force lifts the plane upward and
makes it fly.
The key to flying is the shape of the wings of
the airplane. The wings are curved on the top and
flat on the bottom. As the wind hits one of the
wings, the air on the top has farther to go than
the air on the bottom of the wing. This difference
causes greater pressure on the bottom of the wing
than the top of the wing. Therefore, the pressure
on the bottom of the wings lifts the plane up into
the air. Pretty amazing!
Science Question #2
For the Teacher:
The shape of the wing of the airplane is the key to making the
airplane fly. Each wing is curved on the top and flat on the
bottom. As air hits one of the wings, it is divided into two
streams, one above and one below the wing. The air on top has
farther to go than the air on the bottom, so it must move faster.
The faster air exerts less pressure on the upper surface than
the air on the lower surface. This difference is called lift, and
the greater the speed of the plane, the greater the lift. Also, in
order to maintain enough lift during takeoff and landing the nose
of the plane is kept somewhat higher. There are other various
wings and flaps that are used by the pilot to keep the plane
steady, level, and headed in the right direction.
If time permits…
Make copies of the “Parts of the Airplane” handout. Spend a
few minutes discussing the different functions of the parts of a
plane. Are any of the parts unimportant? What would happen if
the tail fin, the rudder, or one of the spoilers was missing or
broken? Indeed, every part of the airplane has an important job!
Science Question #3
Q: Why do people get the hiccups?
Write your answer in the space below. You may draw a picture to
illustrate your thoughts if you wish.
Science Question #3
Q: Why do people get the hiccups?
A: A person gets the hiccups when a part of their
body called the diaphragm cramps up and begins to
twitch violently. The diaphragm is a muscular tissue
located under our lungs that helps us to breathe.
Sometimes when we swallow something hot or cold,
our stomach gets a shock. This shock can cause the
diaphragm to twitch, or spasm. Because the
diaphragm helps us breathe, when it twitches we
cannot help but hiccup!
Science Question #3
For the teacher:
Q: What makes people get the hiccups?
A: A hiccup is caused by the spasmodic contraction of
the diaphragm. This spasm, in turn, causes the glottis to
snap shut at the moment that we take a breath, which
produces the familiar hiccupping noise. Often hiccups
begin after a person swallows something hot or cold. The
hot or cold shock can cause the diaphragm to begin
twitching and, hence, the hiccups.
Discussion:
Talk with your students about ways that they have
tried to rid themselves of the hiccups. You may even take
a vote to determine what the class feels is the best
method. If time allows, make a graph of the results.
Science Question #4
Q:
Why do we shiver when we are cold?
Write your answer in the space below. You may draw a
picture to illustrate your thoughts if you wish.
Science Question #4
Q: Why do we shiver when we get cold?
A: We feel cold when the temperature of our
body goes down. Our muscles shiver and shake in
order to make more heat for our body. You can
help your body warm up by moving around and
exercising.
Science Question #4
For the teacher:
Q: Why do we shiver when we are cold?
A: The human body keeps itself in a stable condition
mainly through the autonomic nervous system and the
body’s hormones. This stable condition is called
homeostasis. The body is usually kept at about 98.6
degrees, regardless of the temperature of the
environment. When it is very cold, the body must make
more body heat in order to keep itself at the proper
temperature. That is why our body causes its muscles to
spasm and shiver, producing the heat that we need.
Extra Question: Why do we get goose bumps?
A: When we get cold, the skin around each hair swells
up close to the pore so that as little heat as possible
escapes. This contraction of the skin causes the hairs to
stand up straight!
Science Question #5
Q: Why does our skin wrinkle when we take a
bath?
Write your answer in the space below. You may draw a
picture to illustrate your thoughts if you wish.
Science Question #5
Q: Why does our skin wrinkle when we take a
bath?
A: Our entire body, including our skin, is made up
of millions and millions of tiny things called cells.
When we take a bath, our skin cells soak up water.
The skin on the inside of our hands and the bottom
of our feet is thicker than the rest of our skin.
Therefore, when these skin cells soak up water,
there isn’t room for the swollen cells to lie side by
side anymore. So, they are bunched together,
causing our skin to wrinkle.
Science Question #5
For the teacher:
Q: Why does our skin wrinkle when we take a
bath?
A: The skin on the inside of our hands and the
bottom of our feet is thicker than the skin on the
rest of our body. When this skin becomes swollen
and spongy from being in the water a long time, the
skin cells expand and the surface area of the skin
increases significantly. The cells become very
crowded, and the skin is forced to wrinkle.