Hooked on Science: Straw worm

Materials

• Straw with paper wrapper
• Water

Instructions

• STEP 1: Using your fingers, completely scrunch the wrapper to the end of the straw.
• STEP 2: Remove the scrunched-up wrapper and place it on a flat surface. Describe the wrapper by its observable properties. Using a ruler, measure the length of the wrapper. Record the length of the wrapper on a piece of paper.
• STEP 3: Using the straw and your finger, slowly add a few drops of water to the wrapper and observe. Describe the wrapper by its observable properties. Using a ruler, measure the length of the wrapper. Record the length of the wrapper on a piece of paper. Using these measurements, identify the wrapper based on its properties.

Explanation

Each time you added a drop of water, the paper absorbed the water, causing the scrunched-up wrapper to look as if it were moving on the flat surface.