Each set contains 15 specimens of varying lengths. Polypropylene is the only one with a density less than water; it floats.I strongly believe in giving students different sized specimens of the same material and asking them to determine both its mass and volume. Then, by sharing the class data, a Mass vs. Volume graph can be plotted. The slope of the straight line is the density of the material. When a different material is used, the density usually changes. The specimen holder allows the teacher to see immediately when all of the specimens have been returned!
Ron Perkins, Retired Teacher