Science at its best is when your children are left thinking. I love challenging my boys to think about what is happening and why? The scientific method is something that is inherent in your children from the day they are born. As they get older, it is our job to make sure that they realize that and keep wondering! The steps to The Scientific Method are as follows: make an observation, ask a question, form a hypothesis, make a prediction, and test it out. Think about all of the times during your child’s day that this is taking place. It is constant from learning how to walk to trying out a new video game. Their wheels are always turning.
I hear so many moms say that they are not comfortable teaching science. They are left feeling inadequate in what they are presenting to their kids. Fear not, science is all around us. You are teaching it everyday whether you think you are or not. The important part is providing a safe environment for your kids to test out their hypothesis. If you present each science lesson with this method in mind, the work will be done for you. You will learn right along with them as you dive into what is happening around you and how it is happening. The think tube is an excellent project to get kids gears turning as they try to figure it out. It is a great introduction to The Scientific Method, and allows kids to figure out challenges that come with things they cannot see. With the think tube you pull one string on the tube another string will shorten, however, it may not be the string you think it will be! The strings seem to be moving in ways that don’t make any sense at all. It will leave your children wondering what in the world is happening! That is what we want.
Let’s show you how to make one. You make one first and demonstrate it to your children. Let them make an observation of what the tube is made of. What components are used to create the tube? Have them write down their observations of the physical appearance of the tube. Then have them hypothesise about what they think is happening. Why are the strings moving the way they are? What is happening inside of the tube? Then have them make a prediction of how they think it is put together. Now for the fun part, let them try to figure out how to make it using their predictions. If they figure it out, that is amazing!! Chances are they will be stumped. Now, you can show them how to make it while explaining it step by step. You will see the spark in their eyes when it clicks as to how it works. Congratulations, you have just taught a very important science lesson in a hands on and fun way. They will then want to show everyone and see if they can figure it out further enforcing the lesson.
Here’s what you need first. You will need a tube of cardboard. You can use an empty paper towel roll or buy a sturdier one from the hardware store. Poster tubes also work very well. Then you will need two long strings or yarn and four washers.
You will need to make four holes in the tube on opposite sides of the tube at the top and bottom. These are where you will pull the string through. Once you have your wholes made you will pull your first string through the top two holes. Then you will tie a washer to each end of the string.
Here is where it gets a bit tricky. Look at the pictures below to see exactly how to accomplish the next step. You are going to cross the other string over the string you have just passed through and secured with washers. You will then push the string through the tube carefully to ensure that it stays crossed over the other string. Once you have it pushed into the tube, it is time to pull each end through the two holes at the bottom of the tube. You will then secure a washer to the ends of this string.
Once all of the washers are securely tied onto the string, your think tube is ready to test out! Begin by pulling one string and see what happens to the other strings. Your kids will be amazed when the string they think will be shortened won’t move, but the one on the opposite side will. As you pull each string, a different string will shorten and lengthen. It is hard to figure out what is happening on the inside of tube without the knowledge of the twisted strings. Even after they figure it out, it will still be mind blowing as they try to make sense of it. Give this a try, and I am sure you will have just as much fun with it as we did!! Let me know what your children’s hypothesis was. I love hearing what their minds come up with!!
-Nicole