Math and science
Shape Detective
Count the circles, triangles and rectangles hiding in a robot, then build your own character from shapes.
Thinking sheet · Math and science
Balloon Static Test
Rub a balloon on your hair and test what it can pick up: paper bits, cereal, a can, your hair.
- Grades
- 1–5
- Time
- about 20 minutes
- Topic
- Math and science
- Kids practice
- static electricity, testing, explaining evidence
What kids do
“Rub a balloon on your hair. What can it pull with invisible power?”
- Test each one
- Draw the balloon pulling something
- Why I think it works:
How to run it
- Rub the balloon on hair or a wool sweater for about ten seconds.
- Dry days work best.
- For water, hold the balloon near a thin, slow stream.
Talk about it
- Have you ever gotten a shock touching a doorknob?
- Why does it stop working after a while?
- Does rubbing longer help?
Take it further
Stick the balloon to a wall. How long does it stay?
Pairs well with
Free for home and classroom use. Print as many copies as you need.
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