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Super Science

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Elective

Printable worksheet (PDF)

Super Science lets you do real experiments. You'll explore static electricity, find out what sinks or floats, and watch colors change and stack. Every test helps you think like a scientist.

Why it's worth it

Super Science turns your kitchen table into a lab. You'll make things move with static electricity, predict what sinks or floats, watch colors swirl and change, and stack liquids into layers like a rainbow. Every investigation starts with a guess and ends with you finding out if you were right. That's how real scientists work.

Start this week

  1. Rub a balloon on your hair and see what it can pick up.
  2. Gather ten small objects and guess which will sink and which will float.
  3. Start a science notebook where you write your guess before each test.
  4. With your adult, find milk, food coloring, and dish soap for a color experiment.

Stay safe

  • Do experiments with an adult, don't taste anything, and wash your hands when you're done.

Requirements · 4

Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).

  1. Requirement 1

    Do the static electricity investigation

    Tip: Rub a balloon on your hair, then see if it can pick up bits of paper or bend a stream of water.

    For example: Rub a balloon on a wool sweater or your hair, then hold it near tiny bits of paper, an empty can lying on its side, or a thin stream of water. Write down what moves and how.

  2. Requirement 2

    Do the sink-or-float investigation

    Tip: Guess first, then drop items in water to see which sink and which float.

    For example: Guess first, then test: a penny, a cork, an apple, a grape, a crayon, and a piece of foil. Then fold the foil into a little boat and see how many pennies it holds before it sinks.

  3. Requirement 3

    Do the color-morphing investigation

    Tip: Do the color-morphing test with an adult and watch what changes.

    For example: Pour milk on a plate, add drops of food coloring, then touch the middle with a cotton swab dipped in dish soap. Watch the colors burst and swirl as the soap spreads.

  4. Requirement 4

    Do the color-layering investigation

    Tip: Pour liquids slowly into a clear glass and watch them form layers.

    For example: With your adult, slowly pour honey, dish soap, colored water, and vegetable oil into a clear glass. The heavier liquids sink and the lighter ones float on top.

Places to visit

Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.

  • A science museum or science center

    Hands-on exhibits let you test electricity, water, and light, just like your investigations.

    How: Have your adult check the website for free or reduced-price days, and go with your family or den.

Talk about it together

  • Which result surprised you the most?
  • When your guess was wrong, what did you learn?
  • Which investigation would you like to try again with one change?
  • What question about the world would you like to test next?

Good questions to ask a science teacher

  • What's your favorite experiment to do with kids?
  • Why does soap make the milk colors move?
  • How do scientists decide what to test next?

Helpful reads

For leaders & parents

  • Have scouts write a guess before each test and check it after.
  • Set up stations so small groups can rotate through the experiments.

People & places that can help

Pairs well with

Counts toward

More Bear adventures

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Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.