Discrepant Events: The Disappearing Cup

It's Science World's Fall Resources Month! To showcase our extensive online resources, we are sharing our newly-minted discrepant events video resources throughout October. 

A discrepant event is a result or a reaction that is unexpected. When students observe a discrepant event, they must ask themselves, why? Why didn't the observed materials behave in the expected way? What might be going on behind the scenes? How can we recreate the event and what are the forces at work? 

A discrepant event is a fantastic way to pique curiousity and inspire inquiry. Why not try The Disappearing Glass? This demonstration caught our science campers by surprise and inspired some incredible theories.

What is happening to the smaller glass? 

Throughout Fall Resources Month, we are celebrating with a friendly competition. If you would like to be entered to win a field trip to your local science centre, simply register and/or share your favourite Science World resource. You can find hundreds of free resources in our Teacher Resources section.