The teacher explains that the class will be working with clay. Roll it on wax paper with a pencil. Distribute a small ball of clay to each student. Allow time here to soften clay.
Teacher holds up a small ball of clay for the class to see.
Have each group place their balls of clay on the water so that they can see it as it sinks. Let the students experiment with the clay to find shapes that will float. Student Questions 1. Discuss what happened to the upward and downward forces when the shape of the clay was changed. Elicit that when the clay is shaped into a boat, it occupies a bigger space in the water, so the upward force is greater than the downward force and boat floats.