Let’s learn about the body of water that covers over 70% of our planet Earth in this fun experiment on oceans!
Even though the ocean covers about 72% of the earth's surface, more than 80% of it remains unexplored. Since it covers so much of our planet, scientists are always learning new things about the ocean. For example, a sea jelly that mimics a hot air balloon was discovered in the past year.
Today, we have two really fun ocean activities about currents and jellyfish for you! Let's start with a science experiment about ocean currents. We are going to be investigating how the ocean moves from one location to another.
Materials:
Water, ice, food coloring, and a large clear baking dish
Time Estimated:
15 minutes
Directions:
Fill the dish about ⅓ of the way with water.
Add a few drops of blue food coloring and stir.
Add 1-2 cups of ice to the water.
While the ice is melting, boil some new water. Be sure to get your parent’s help when boiling water!
Add a few drops of red food coloring to the boiled water and stir.
Pour the hot red water into the dish containing the blue cold water.
Observe what happens!
How It Works:
The differences in water temperature create movement, so the colder water sinks underneath the warmer water. A current is the continuous movement of water from one place to another. Ocean currents are affected by wind, temperature, salinity (how salty the water is), and how dense the water is. You might also see some of the water moving in a circular, swirling motion. This special type of current is called an eddy. Eddies are important because they move nutrients from the deeper colder parts of the ocean up to the warmer top.
Art Activity: Jellyfish Sun-Catcher
Did you know that each living organism in the water interacts differently with the currents? Some move with the current, such as sea turtles. But some creatures can actually move against the ocean currents! Today we are going to be doing an amazing art project to learn more about jellyfish!
Materials:
Tissue paper, black construction paper, scissors (make sure to be careful and have an adult around to help you with using the scissors!), contact paper, and ribbon
Time Estimated:
20 minutes
Directions:
First, we are going to cut our tissue paper into squares. I personally chose to get some really fun and colorful tissue paper!
Next, we are going to draw what we want the body of our jellyfish to look like on the black construction paper. Once we’ve sketched it out, we are going to cut around the edges, and then cut a hole out in the middle.
Now, cut a piece of contact paper that is larger than your jellyfish.
Remove the protective sheet and tape the contact paper on top of a table with the sticky side facing up.
Place the black jellyfish outline down on the sticky side of the contact paper and then start placing the tissue paper squares on the contact paper. Don’t worry about the paper going over the black lines, you’ll be cutting it out once you’re all done.
When you finish adding the colorful tissue paper, go ahead and take another sheet of contact paper and place it down on top of your jellyfish to seal it.
Trim around the contact paper. Try to leave a little bit around the edges so that it stays sealed.
Finally, cut some decorative ribbon and tape it to the back of your jellyfish
Now you are all done and you can hang your jellyfish up on a wall or a window to see its beautiful colors!
Looking for more fun at home STEM activities for your young scientist? Check out our workbook full of exciting science experiments and empowering activities!
