Ocean Study: 5E Science Unit (Sink/Float, Salinity, Ocean Layers)

lesson overview

5E Ocean Science Unit: Salinity, Buoyancy, and Density!

With 40 pages of teacher slides, step-by-step guide with photos and videos, and 30 pages of editable student handouts - this is everything you need for a complete 5E science unit covering key tops of ocean layers, buoyancy, salinity, and density!

Key Learning Outcomes

• Learn about the STEM Career of an Oceanographer and Jacques Cousteau

• Apply prior knowledge of how items sink or float based on everyday life experiences.

• Predicate if an item will sink or float and justify reasoning.

• Test to see if predictions are accurate.

• Record predictions and results in a scientific process.

• Predict how changing the type of water will change sink or float results. Compare and contrast saltwater to freshwater.

• Light objects have buoyancy and float in water.

• Divers have to add weight belts to their bodies to overcome the buoyancy of their bodies in the water.

• Learn about the 5 oceans, buoyancy, salinity, and density.

• Learn that oceans are salty and salinity and density increase buoyancy.

• Learn the vocabulary of buoyancy, density, and salinity.

Complete 5E Science Unit:

1. Engage: Which object will sink or float?

2. Explore: Salt Water Density Experiment + Scuba Diver Experiment

3. Explain: Connect Experiments to Science Concepts

4. Elaborate: Deepen Understanding with Discussion + Ocean Zones in a Bottle STEAM Art Activity

5. Evaluate: Think Pair Share + Reflections

4-60 minute Lesson Sequence:

• Session 1: Aluminum Foil activity + STEM Career Connection

• Session 2: Science Experiment #1

• Session 3: Review Sink or Float + Science Experiment #2: Scuba Diver Sink or Float in a Bottle Experiment

• Session 4: Science Concepts + Student Handouts

• Session 5: STEAM Art + Oceans Reflection

Recommended Materials:

• Aluminum foil

• Pencils

• Crayons

• Scissors

• Glue

• Bowl

• Water

• Objects to test: penny, cork, paper clip, small rock, toothpick, spoon

• Salt

• Baking pans

• 2 Liter Bottle (1 per group)

• Funnel

• Modeling clay

• Bendy straws

• Paper clips

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