Dive right in with some Shark Week science experiments

Get your fins out. It’s that time of year again! Shark Week returned to Discovery channel this past Monday. Starting in 1988, it’s the longest-running cable TV programing event in history. The show’s purpose is to educate and change common misconceptions about sharks. Sharks are just one of the 1 million known species in the ocean. Scientists even believe there are still 9 million more waiting to be discovered.

Michael Phelps isn’t the only one taking part in Shark Week activities. Now you can too! Try some of these fun marine experiments that you can really sink your teeth into.

1) Shark Buoyancy

Why don’t sharks sink? Create your own “shark” and find out why with Little Bins for Little Hand’s experiment. Here you will create your own shark using two water bottles. Fill them up with two household liquids, and see which floats.

2) Ocean Zones

Build a shark’s home in a jar. With I Can Teach My Child’s experiment you can see all the different layers that comprise the ocean. Humans typically experience the sunlight layer. Now you can see what lies underneath. Do you know which zone sharks live in?

3) Building Beaches

Hopefully there won’t be too many sharks in this part of the ocean. Science Buddy’s experiment is a great way to show you just how the beach was formed. How did all that sand get there? Why is the shoreline a certain way? After this experiment, you can be the big brain at your next family beach trip.

4) Build Your Own Coral Reef

Coral Reefs are a major part of the ocean’s ecosystem. Sharks swim by them all the time. The best way for humans to see them is by snorkeling or diving, but until then, you can build your own right at home. The Museum of Natural History shows us how you can create a coral reef out of everyday art supplies. Now you can pretend to swim past them, just like sharks!

Still got shark on the brain? Ocearch tracks sharks across the world. See if there are any near you.