Diaper Science!

You can have fun and learn at the same time! Case in point, break out a package of diapers in front of a class of 3rd graders ;)

I found this science experiment while searching the internet for a fun, one day experiment that my students would be able to the bulk of on their own. We wanted our 3rd graders to go through the scientific process with more responsibility. Many of the science experiments we have done have completed we the students observing while I (and some volunteers) do the experiment or it is too difficult to get enough materials for more than one experiment can be done at once. I was so happy to find this simple and fun experiment!

After the rolls of giggling and tears of laughter over having diapers in our classroom, we got down to business. We determined our question to be "How much liquid (in mL) can a diaper hold?". Before materials were distributed, the students made their hypothesis of how much water the diaper would hold. The students were split into groups of 3 or 4 and given a diaper, recording sheet, a graduated cylinder, and water (dyed blue so we could see it better). The students added water in 25 mL increments and tallied as the water was added.

We determined that the diapers were "full" when they were no longer dry to the touch. The amount of water held varied from group to group, with totals ranging from 225-325 mL. We discussed why diapers needed to hold so much liquid (cue more giggling and howls of laughter). This was such a fun experiment and will definitely be one we do again next year!!

Note: My students suggested we do the experiment again, but with different types of diapers. That might get a bit expensive, but a great idea!

Diapers are so much FUN!!