Created byKristin Walrath

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Bubble Snake Science Experiment

KindergartenScience1 days

In the 'Bubble Snake Science Experiment', kindergarten students explore the science of bubbles by blowing air through a soapy washcloth attached to a bottle, creating a 'bubble snake'. This project aims to help students understand the factors that influence bubble size, shape, and color, and introduces them to basic scientific principles such as air pressure and the interaction between soap and water. Through hands-on activities and guided inquiry-based learning, students measure and record observations, refining their observation, measurement, and data recording skills. The project encourages curiosity and scientific inquiry, set within an engaging 'Magic Bubble Show'.

Bubble ScienceKindergartenInquiry-Based LearningBubble SnakeObservationMeasurementAir Pressure

Want to create your own PBL Recipe?Use our AI-powered tools to design engaging project-based learning experiences for your students.

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we explore and understand the science behind bubble snakes, and what factors affect their size, shape, and color?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What happens when you blow air through a soapy washcloth attached to a bottle?
How do bubbles form and why do they create different shapes?
What role does soap play in the creation of bubbles?
Why do we see colors in the bubble snake?
How can we change the size and length of the bubble snake?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will be able to describe what happens when air is blown through a soapy washcloth attached to a bottle and explain the basic science behind bubble formation.
Students will understand how soap interacts with water to create bubbles and why bubbles can form different shapes.
Students will observe and identify colors within the bubbles and explain the phenomenon using basic scientific concepts.
Students will investigate and demonstrate how varying different factors, such as air pressure and soap concentration, can change the size and length of the bubble snake.
Students will practice making observations and recording data about bubble size, shape, and color.

NGSS

K-PS1-1

Primary

Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object with support.Reason: Students explore how the pressure when blowing through the washcloth affects the motion and formation of the bubbles, aligning with physical science standards.

K-PS1-2

Primary

Analyze data to determine patterns in the way that objects react with water.Reason: This standard aligns well as students will analyze how soap and water interact to create bubbles, observing differences in size and form.

K-LS1-1

Secondary

Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.Reason: While this standard focuses on survival, it stresses observation and pattern recognition skills that can apply to studying bubbles.

K-ESS3-2

Supporting

Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather.Reason: Encourages inquiry-based learning by allowing students to ask questions about environmental conditions that might impact bubbles.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Magic Bubble Show

Kick off the project with a magical bubble show where students watch an array of colorful bubbles being created in different shapes and sizes. Talk about how bubbles are formed and the science behind them, sparking curiosity about how they can create these at home.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Bubble Scientist Initiation

Students will begin their journey into bubble science by exploring how bubbles are formed and discussing what makes bubbles different from each other. This activity will lay the foundation by introducing students to simple scientific observations and terminology related to bubbles.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Begin with a brief discussion about what bubbles are and how they form.

2. Show the students a bubble snake demonstration and discuss what they observed (size, shape, color).

3. Encourage students to share their descriptions and predictions about what might happen if they create their own bubbles.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA classroom chart with students' initial thoughts and predictions about bubble formation and characteristics.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with K-LS1-1 (Use observations to describe patterns) by encouraging pattern recognition and observation skills.

Activity 2

Bubble Measurement Challenge

Students will practice measuring and recording the size and length of their bubble snakes, investigating how changes in variables like air pressure or soap concentration result in different outcomes. This activity enhances measurement and data recording skills.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Teach students how to use a ruler or measuring tape to measure their bubble snakes.

2. Introduce the concept of testing one variable at a time, such as changing only the soap concentration or the force of blowing.

3. Have students record their bubble size and length data based on different trials.

4. Guide a discussion on their findings, focusing on how different actions change the bubbles.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA data sheet containing measurements and observations from different bubble trials.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with K-ESS3-2 by encouraging students to ask questions and analyze conditions that alter their results.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Bubble Science Exploration Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Bubble Formation

Assesses students' grasp of how bubbles are formed and the role of soap, water, and air in this process.

Criterion 1

Explanation of Bubble Snake Formation

Ability to explain how air blowing through a soapy washcloth creates a bubble snake and the scientific principles behind it.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides a clear, detailed explanation of how air pressure, soap, and water interact to create a bubble snake, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the science involved.

Proficient

3 Points

Offers a clear explanation of bubble formation with some reference to scientific concepts, showing a good understanding.

Developing

2 Points

Gives a basic explanation of bubble creation with minimal scientific reference, indicating emerging understanding.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to explain bubble formation, showing limited understanding.

Criterion 2

Observation of Bubble Characteristics

Analyzing their observations of bubble size, shape, and color.

Exemplary

4 Points

Observations are detailed and accurate, identifying diverse characteristics and providing comprehensive descriptions of size, shape, and color.

Proficient

3 Points

Observations are accurate and adequate, describing most characteristics well.

Developing

2 Points

Observations are basic and do not cover all characteristics clearly, indicating a developing grasp.

Beginning

1 Points

Observations are incomplete or unclear, showing minimal engagement.

Category 2

Measurement and Data Recording Skills

Evaluates students' ability to measure bubble snakes accurately and record data systematically.

Criterion 1

Measurement Accuracy

Skill in using measuring tools to measure bubble snake size accurately.

Exemplary

4 Points

Uses measuring tools with great accuracy and consistency, correctly measuring bubbles' length and size in multiple trials.

Proficient

3 Points

Measures bubbles accurately and neatly records measurements, with minor inconsistencies.

Developing

2 Points

Uses measuring tools with some accuracy, but results are inconsistent.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles with using measuring tools properly, making inaccurate measurements.

Criterion 2

Data Recording and Analysis

Ability to systematically record data on bubble sizes and analyze how different variables affect outcomes.

Exemplary

4 Points

Records data meticulously and can analyze changes effectively, showing insight into variable impacts.

Proficient

3 Points

Records data carefully and makes basic analysis of variable impacts.

Developing

2 Points

Records some data but lacks systematic approach; analysis is limited.

Beginning

1 Points

Data recording is minimal or disorganized with little to no analysis.

Category 3

Scientific Inquiry and Investigation

Assesses students' abilities to engage in scientific inquiry and experimentation process.

Criterion 1

Questioning and Hypothesis Generation

Ability to ask relevant questions and make predictions about bubble experiments.

Exemplary

4 Points

Consistently generates thoughtful questions and well-considered predictions, showing depth of inquiry.

Proficient

3 Points

Asks relevant questions and makes logical predictions for most experiments.

Developing

2 Points

Asks basic questions and makes simple predictions with limited insight.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to formulate questions or predictions, showing minimal engagement.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on what you learned about bubble formation and the role of soap in creating bubbles. How did your understanding change during the activities?

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Required

Question 2

How confident do you feel about explaining why bubbles form in different shapes and colors?

Scale

Required

Question 3

Which activity helped you understand the most about changing the size and length of bubble snakes?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Bubble Scientist Initiation

Bubble Measurement Challenge

Observing the Magic Bubble Show

Other

Question 4

Reflect on the essential question: 'What happens when you blow air through a soapy washcloth attached to a bottle?' What steps did you take to explore this question and what conclusion did you draw?

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Optional

Question 5

Think about the ways you worked together with classmates during the project. How did teamwork help you or change your perspective on the activities?

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Optional