Enter these fantastic paper flatworms in a marathon or race and see which one wins. It’s all based on molecules.
Things Required:
Paper towel strips, cut about 1/2 inch wide (as many flatworms as you wish to race)
A medicine dropper (if you’re racing with friends, you may want to provide a dropper for each)
Water
Directions:
Fold the strips back and forth, accordion-style. Line them up evenly on the kitchen counter. Load the medicine dropper(s) with water. Let a few drops of water fall on the ends and middle of the paper strips and try to extend or stretch the worms across an imaginary finish line.
This Is What Happens:
The paper worms seem to flutter and turn.
Science Behind It:
The thousands of open holes in the paper fill with water. This “capillary action” expands or makes larger those parts of the paper. As the paper expands, it moves, and so do your flatworms!
