Raindrop Science Experiment

Our library has science ‘kits’ that you can check out which include books, DVDs and CDs on specific topics for specific grade levels. Since Grandpa sent the boys a few books about the ocean while on his vacation Cutie Pie has been very interested in learning about the ocean and as luck would have it we found a marine mammals science kit for grades K-2 on our recent library trip! (As part of letter W week – water!)

One book, Awesome Ocean Science, particularly caught Cutie Pie’s attention because it is full of experiments! Of course we tried one the first day we had it! I would highly recommend this book for your kiddos. The experiments are explained clearly, had very clear illustrations and are written at a level kindergarteners through second graders would understand. Cutie Pie is anxious to do more experiments! For now I’ll share the experiment we tried, which is also perfect for spring because it is about raindrops!

You’ve got to try Seems Like Magic: The Water Cycle, A Day in the Life of a Raindrop.

Materials:
wide mouthed jar
hot water
ruler
plastic sandwich bag
rubber band
ice cubes

Fill the jar about 2″ with hot water for a mini tropical sea. Quickly insert the plastic bag, securing it to the top with the rubber band. Fill the bag with ice. What happens? Cutie Pie hypothesized the water from the ice would make the hot water raise up to the bottom of the bag.

Wait 15 to 20 minutes without disturbing the jar. What has happened and what is happening? You should see drops formed on the bottom of the bag. After glancing at the jar and seeing his hypothesis was incorrect, I asked Cutie Pie to hypothesize again. He thought the water would be cold from the coldness of the ice.

What really happened? “The bag of ice keeps the water vapor from leaving the jar, just as the earth’s atmosphere keeps the evaporating seawater from disappearing into space.” The condensation from the hot water rose and when it met the cold surface of the bag, it formed back into water making ‘raindrops’ which fell back to the water. You can measure the water level with your kiddos throughout this experiment to add in a math concept as well.

I think the next experiment we’ll try is Dive to the Bottom!
(Mom is the Only Girl is in no way being compensated by mentioning Awesome Ocean Science. It is simply a book that my children and I enjoy referencing for experiments.)