My child participated in an experiment with 6 glasses, each containing a small amount of water with different food colouring added. He joined them using paper towels to observe how the colour travelled up and then mixed. We hypothesised about what colours it would create, and recorded guesses as to how long it would take for the water levels to be even in all the glasses.

Science

• The child learned about the concept of capillary action as they observed the colored water traveling up the paper towels.
• They developed an understanding of color mixing as they observed the merging of different colored waters in the glasses.
• They practiced forming hypotheses and predictions as they made guesses about the resulting colors and the time it would take for the water levels to be even in all the glasses.
• They gained practical experience in the scientific method through observation, hypothesis formation, and data recording.

One way to continue developing this activity is to encourage the child to design their own variations of the experiment. They can explore how different factors such as temperature, the amount of water, or the type of paper towels might affect the movement and mixing of colors. Additionally, they can expand their understanding by investigating the scientific principles behind capillary action through simple experiments and readings.

Book Recommendations

• What Color Is My World? The Lost History of African-American Inventors by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld: This book celebrates the contributions of African-American inventors and their creativity, showcasing the wonders of science.
• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty: This engaging story follows a young girl's curiosity and passion for science, inspiring children to explore and ask questions about the world around them.
• Curious George Discovers the Senses by H. A. Rey: This book explores the five senses and how they help us experience the world, sparking curiosity and interest in scientific exploration.