Kelly's Classroom Online: Dippin' Dandelions STEM Challenge

Dipping dandelions into a glass of water to see what happens to them is the newest TikTok challenge out there. (I found out about this challenge from someone who told me about it after reading Learning About Dandelion Life Cycles.) To do this challenge, you dip a white fuzzy dandelion head into a glass of water, keep it submerged for a few seconds, and pull it out. Then you observe any changes that may have occurred. Pretty simple, eh? My son and I gave it a try earlier today and this is what happened...

What happens when you dip a dandelion in some water? We tried the dipping dandelions TikTok challenge to find out! Fun STEM activity for all ages. #kellysclassroomonline

Question

What will happen if you dip a white dandelion into a glass of water?

Hypothesis

We think the seeds will fall off of the dandelion's head and float in the water.

Materials

white dandelions
water
glass or cup

Procedure

Collect white dandelions from outside.
Fill a cup with water.
Dip a dandelion into the water.
Hold the dandelion underwater for a few seconds. Keep the dandelion still.
Carefully remove the dandelion from the water and observe.
Repeat if desired.

Results

My son and I tried this experiment twice. The first time we dipped the dandelion into the water, all most all of the seeds stayed attached to the dandelion's head. Only a few fell off. The second time we dipped the dandelion's head into the water, roughly half of the seeds fell off.

Conclusion

Dandelion seeds are hydrophobic (water-resistant/repellent). Being hydrophobic makes it difficult... but not impossible... for water to get between the seeds and separate them from the dandelion's head.