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Toothbrush Trick

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Toothbrush Trick James Bowe

A science experiment to try when a child's brushing their teeth.

 Materials Needed:

  • A Clear Plastic Cup
  • Toothbrush
  • Water

What to do:

  • Half fill a clear plastic cup with water.
  • Put the toothbrush into the water.
  • Check out the toothbrush from the side of the cup.

The Science Factor:

The part of the toothbrush underwater looks bent. This is caused by light. Light moves more quickly through water than through air. As the light slows down it changes direction and enters your eyes from a different angle. This is why things in water look bent even though they are really straight. This is called Refraction.

Hints and Tips:

Next time you go swimming stand in the pool and look down at your legs. The look short and stubby because of refraction.

Additional Info

  • Appropriate Age: 4 year+
  • Number of Children: Individual (1), Couple (2), Few (3), Small Group (4), Large Group (5 or more)
  • Developmental Milestones:

    has organized, continuous memory

    follows and understands complex instructions (verbal and visual)

  • Play Based Learning: Exploratory Play
  • Interest Areas: Science and Nature
  • Games Categories: Cognitive Development, Learning Games, Science Experiments
  • EYLF Outcomes: Learning Outcome 4
  • Sub Outcomes:

    4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity cooperation confidence creativity commitment enthusiasm persistence imagination and reflexivity

    4.4 Children resource their own learning through connecting with people place technologies and natural and processed materials

Created On January 3, 2015 Last modified on Sunday, January 25, 2015
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