| DonnaYoung.org |
Observation Tub |
 |
| Lunar Eclipse | Orion Constellation | The Pleiades | Star Slides from Jar Lids | Observation Tub | Lab Sheets | Nature Journal | How Our Lungs Work | Mind over Muscles | Basic Science Topics | Science - Outline | Science Art | Homeschooling Science: Grades 4, 5, 6 | |
| From the materials below, you can make an observation tub. We usually use the tub for pond water specimens. | |||
A clean, clear 2-liter plastic bottle complete with its lid. |
Clear wide packaging tape. |
3 Popsicle sticks |
Another item that you will need is a knife. I prefer to use an x-acto knife for this. But you can manage with a sharp kitchen knife. |
 |
Step 1:
This is the first step to making the base (support unit) for your observation tub. Cut a piece of tape that is about 2/3rds as long as your 2-liter bottle. Lay this tape on your work surface sticky side up. |
||
 |
Step 2:
Cut two pieces of tape about 5 or 6 inches long. Lay the tape sticky side down on the sticky tape that you cut in step one. Leave enough space for the sticks. Lay the three sticks as shown in the image to your left. The sticks will keep your observation tub from rolling over. I'm calling this sticky contraption a support unit in the next step. |
||
 |
Step 3:
Place the support unit on your 2-liter bottle as shown in the image to your left. Wrap the tape around the bottle to secure the support unit. |
||
 |
Step 4:
Place one long piece of tape along the bottom of the support unit and bottle. This further secures the sticks to the bottle and covers the sticky tape. |
||
 |
Step 5: The Final Step for the Support Unit:
Cut two pieces of tape 5 or 6 inches long. Place the tape in between the sticks as shown in the image to the left and stick it to the sides of the bottle. This creates a very study base. [ :) usually!] If you feel that yours needs extra tape, go ahead and put more tape on it. |
||
 |
Step 6:
Turn the bottle over and set it on its base. Carefully cut the 'top' of the bottle as shown in the picture indicated by the red lines. Do not cut the piece all the way out, unless you don't want the tub to have a lid. If you are going to have a lid, then try to make this cut very neat. Make one little short cut between the stopping and starting cuts. Leave around 1/4 inch intact. This makes hinges. |
||
 |
Step 7: Refining the Hinge
Fold back the lid that you just made by cutting the bottle. If it
doesn't fold back very well, cut a tiny bit more between the hinges. After
folding it back, trim a bit of plastic from the lid and from the bottle
between the hinges. Here's a close-up drawing: |
||
 |
Step 8: The Flange on the Lid
When you close the lid, you will notice that it will not work the way that you want it to. It may hang sideways or go into the bottle. To fix the lid you should cut several pieces of tape. Place the tape around the edges of the lid with most of the tape hanging off. Fold the tape back over itself to cover its sticky side. This will form a flange (lip, overhang) which will help the lid close better. Your Observation Tub is finished. You can refine it more if you wish, but further instructions are not necessary. |
||
Use the tub for:
|
|||
