Density Lab

Introduction to Density for Middle School or High School students. Density formula and teacher-led example included. Simple Calculations that can be done with a calculator or by hand using Long division.
Students should already know how to use a balance and how to read a graduated cylinder correctly (reminder to
read at the bottom of the meniscus). After introducing the students to density, I showed the first page on my
Smart board and we worked through the dinosaur and sea sponge density problems together. I had several
objects (keys, screws, nerf bullets, rocks, washers, ect…), that would fit inside a graduated cylinder, ready for the
students. You can also ask students to bring a small object that will fit inside a graduated cylinder. You can set
them up so the students rotate around the room and calculate density at each station or have several objects
for each group to complete at their lab table. We then had the other groups guess what objects had the most and
least density for each group.