Where did the Water Go?

Your Child Will Learn

About states of water and evaporation

Here’s What to Do

1. In the morning, fill a clear cup with water (it could be a glass, disposable cup, or measuring cup). Use a marker to draw a line even with the water. If you can’t write on the cup, use a piece of tape to mark the line of the water on the cup.
2. Place the cup near a sunny window (or if you have a good spot to put it outside on a warm day, the experiment will work more quickly).
3. Set a timer for 1-3 hours. When the timer goes off, mark the height of the water. Repeat throughout the day
4. Ask your child where they think the water went. Explain that the water evaporated- or turned from a liquid into steam and is now floating in the air.

Put PEER Into Action

PAUSE

• Tell your child you need their help to do an experiment. Are they ready?

ENGAGE

• “We’re going to make a mark to show how high the water is in this cup. We’ll come back later and check it out and see if it changes.”
• “What are you noticing about the height of the water? How is it different from the last mark we made? Where do you think the water went?”

ENCOURAGE

• “Can you make your eyes at the same height as the top of the water? Then draw a line that’s exactly at the top of the water.”
• Remind your scientist that sometimes science is slow and it can take a long time to see results.

REFLECT

• “Water can’t disappear, but it can change. The water went from a wet liquid to a light steam, and now it’s mixing into the air. That’s called evaporation, have you ever heard that word before?”

Not Quite Ready

Use cups and tools to explore water in the bath.

Ready for More

Try the experiment again with different cups in different places. Where does the water evaporate faster? Why?

As Your Child Masters This Skill

They will explore how water can change from a liquid to a gas.

Time to Complete

20 minutes, in small chunks throughout the day

Materials Needed

Clear cup, marker, water, timer