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Educational Resource

Experiment: The properties of sea water

A quick and easy experiment that can be done at home or in class to learn more about the sea, starting from the knowledge of water. Developed by IOC-UNESCO for World Oceans Day.
activity duration
30 minutes
language
Italian
target age
7-16 years

Single Fin Photos / Ocean Image Bank

It may have happened to you too, while you are bathing in the sea, to drink some water, and you will have noticed that it is very salty. An experiment of about half an hour with water, an egg and a pinch of salt to begin to know the sea, starting from the concept of salinity to understand the concept of density of water, discovering the differences between sea water and fresh water.

Instructions for use:

Use the document online or in paper format, as a recreational activity at home or during a lesson at school.

Materials needed:

tap water, 2 empty clear glasses, 2 fresh raw eggs, 1 cooking spoon, fine cooking salt, labels, pencil.

Procedure:

  1. Prepare the labels and apply them to the glasses to distinguish them
  2. Arrange the glasses and pour:
  1. Try to think…what will happen when we put an egg in the two glasses? Will it float or sink? Write down your hypotheses.
  2. It is time to put the eggs in the glasses. Gently drop an egg into each glass.
  3. Watch what happens…your hypotheses have been verified. Try to give an explanation for what you observe in your own words.

Cognitive learning objectives:

Social-emotional learning goals:

Behavioral learning objectives:

UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development Approaches:

Geographical perspective, scientific perspective.

Connection between subjects:

Marine ecology, natural sciences, physics, chemistry, technology.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Connection to Ocean Education Principles: