Liquid Motion Lamp: A Learning-Cycle Approach to Solubility

The abstract concepts of density and solubility are often difficult for middlegrade students and should be taught within several contexts to provide multiple experiences with the phenomena. To authenticate the learning of these concepts, this article provides instructional guidelines for constructing a liquid motion lamp to engage students in exploring the floating-blob phenomenon. Results from the implementation of this 5E learning cycle activity show that 95% of the participating students were able to explain, at a basic level, the operation of a lava lamp. Students' responses and enhancements to this activity are also provided.