Science: Let's Learn Together Through Doing!!
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Best Buy Science Experiment: Fingerpaint Edition!
Purpose/Objective To determine which brand of fingerpaint, or homemade, is the best buy.
Rationale Fingerpaint is a popular item for primary grade students to create art and/or apply their learning through visual artistic expression. Therefore, we wanted to determine the overall best buy for finger-paint. Fingerpaint can also be expensive and used quickly, so we chose to include homemade fingerpaint, made from ingredients simply obtained from a grocery store, and use it as one of the “brands” being compared. We compared Sargent Art, Crayola and the homemade “brand” to determine the best buy.
Variables Tested For Experiment
1. Preference of Application
2. Consistency and Vibrancy after Drying
3. Washable from Cotton Clothing
Rationale Fingerpaint is a popular item for primary grade students to create art and/or apply their learning through visual artistic expression. Therefore, we wanted to determine the overall best buy for finger-paint. Fingerpaint can also be expensive and used quickly, so we chose to include homemade fingerpaint, made from ingredients simply obtained from a grocery store, and use it as one of the “brands” being compared. We compared Sargent Art, Crayola and the homemade “brand” to determine the best buy.
Variables Tested For Experiment
1. Preference of Application
2. Consistency and Vibrancy after Drying
3. Washable from Cotton Clothing
Hypotheses
Crayola will be the easiest to apply. (Prediction based on reputation – Crayola is a well-known, comprehensive art brand).
Sargent Art will have the best consistency and vibrancy (Prediction based on the vibrancy of the colors in the containers).
Crayola will wash out the most quickly and completely. (Prediction based on the word “Washable” printed in large letters on the box, and past experience with Crayola products having been washable).
Crayola will be the easiest to apply. (Prediction based on reputation – Crayola is a well-known, comprehensive art brand).
Sargent Art will have the best consistency and vibrancy (Prediction based on the vibrancy of the colors in the containers).
Crayola will wash out the most quickly and completely. (Prediction based on the word “Washable” printed in large letters on the box, and past experience with Crayola products having been washable).
Materials
Crayola Fingerpaint
Sargent Art Fingerpaint
Cornstarch
Water
Plastic cups and spoon
Pot
Stovetop, to boil water and cornstarch mixture
Red Food Coloring
Yellow Food Coloring
Paper plates
Art Paper
White Cotton “Mad Scientist” T-Shirts (for the washable test)
Small ruler with ‘mm’ markers
Permanent Marker to mark each fingerpaint by number on the plates, paper and T-Shirts
Timer
Tide Detergent
Paper and pencils (to record data)
Crayola Fingerpaint
Sargent Art Fingerpaint
Cornstarch
Water
Plastic cups and spoon
Pot
Stovetop, to boil water and cornstarch mixture
Red Food Coloring
Yellow Food Coloring
Paper plates
Art Paper
White Cotton “Mad Scientist” T-Shirts (for the washable test)
Small ruler with ‘mm’ markers
Permanent Marker to mark each fingerpaint by number on the plates, paper and T-Shirts
Timer
Tide Detergent
Paper and pencils (to record data)
Procedures
Pre-Experiment Procedure – Creation of Homemade Fingerpaint
Students mix cornstarch and water, and observe the boiling of these substances, to create a new substance. Students observe the texture of the substance and add food coloring. Students record their observation data.
Procedure I - Observation and Application
Students observe the three fingerpaints, numbered 1-3 on paper plates. Students record their observation data regarding feel and look. Students apply fingerpaint to the paper. Record data based on ease of application and texture of fingerpaint.
Procedure II – Consistency and Vibrancy after Drying
After waiting 30 minutes, students observe the consistency of the paint on the paper, and record data based on their observations. Students next observe the vibrancy of each paint after drying, and record that data accordingly.
Procedure III – Washing Fingerpaint out of T-Shirt
Students apply fingerpaint to their “Mad Scientist” T-Shirt, which is white and made of 100% cotton. Students (with assistance) place T-Shirts in the washing machine on a regular cycle, using Tide detergent. Once cycle is completed, students observe the T-Shirts (as well as labels and arrows marked with Sharpie) to determine if any or all of the fingerpaints were successfully washed out and to what degree.
Pre-Experiment Procedure – Creation of Homemade Fingerpaint
Students mix cornstarch and water, and observe the boiling of these substances, to create a new substance. Students observe the texture of the substance and add food coloring. Students record their observation data.
Procedure I - Observation and Application
Students observe the three fingerpaints, numbered 1-3 on paper plates. Students record their observation data regarding feel and look. Students apply fingerpaint to the paper. Record data based on ease of application and texture of fingerpaint.
Procedure II – Consistency and Vibrancy after Drying
After waiting 30 minutes, students observe the consistency of the paint on the paper, and record data based on their observations. Students next observe the vibrancy of each paint after drying, and record that data accordingly.
Procedure III – Washing Fingerpaint out of T-Shirt
Students apply fingerpaint to their “Mad Scientist” T-Shirt, which is white and made of 100% cotton. Students (with assistance) place T-Shirts in the washing machine on a regular cycle, using Tide detergent. Once cycle is completed, students observe the T-Shirts (as well as labels and arrows marked with Sharpie) to determine if any or all of the fingerpaints were successfully washed out and to what degree.
Data/Observations
Results and Conclusion
Watch our video of clips from the Fingerpaint Best Buy experiment:
Meanwhile, while we were waiting for the fingerpaint to dry, we did some other inquiry-type Science experiments, just for fun! Watch our video, featuring the "Diet Coke Volcano" and more!
To see a full report on our fingerpaint best buy science experiment, see below:
best_buy_science_experiment_write_up.docx | |
File Size: | 298 kb |
File Type: | docx |