Cool Science Experiments -
The Fun Part of Teaching Science

Take a look at this cup. Imagine that it is filled to the brim with water.

Now take a paper clip and slowly drop it into the cup.

How many paper clips do you think it will take before the water overflows?

Well - the Grade 5 boys all took a guess. These ranged from 1 to 10. And... they were all wrong! In fact, one group added 184 paper clips to a 130ml cup of water and it never overflowed!

This was an experiment done in the Grade 5 class to discover the 'skin of water' known as water tension.

The boys were so excited when they realized that that however many paper clips were added, the water stayed inside the cup. As one boy commented, "wow - this is magic!"

At WHPS, the emphasis is on discovery, an excitement to learn about the magical world of science and the willingness to communicate your findings.

Brigitte Theunissen
Head - Senior Prep

Rockets, lids and explosions echoed through the Waterkloof theatre, much to the delight of the keen, eager and excitable Junior Prep boys. They watched with awe as Eddie Jansen demonstrated his hands-on and thought provoking science experiments.

The boys were intrigued by the cool science experiments that were demonstrated with fun and humour.

Thanks to the Family Forum for funding this exciting learning experience.

Teaching Science with Hands-on Experience

"Flowers that float on Water." Our Grade 1 experiment

• What you need

A sheet of paper
Scissors
A dish of water.

• What You Do

1. Cut out your flower pattern
2. Fold the petals inwards along the dotted line
3. Place the paper flower on the water very carefully.

• What do you see?

The flowers opened up when we put them in the water.

• Why does this happen?

The water fills the spaces in the fibres of the paper. This makes the paper swell and the flower opens out.

Elaine Cornish
Junior Prep head.