杯子里先放了一块体积和它差不多大小的石头，石头与杯子的缝隙可以容纳沙子，当石头、沙子装满杯子，男孩根据沙子吸水、水能渗透沙子的科学规律，又在已经放满石头、沙子的杯中注入水。这样，从最初杯子空间被石头占据，进而被沙子、石头占据，最后被水、沙子、石头这几样“特性”鲜明的物质混合充满。
石头、沙子、水，这三种特征鲜明、特性互补的物体可以充满一个空杯子，但前提必须是先放石头，再放沙子，最后放水。故事中，当老师打破这个顺序和规律，先放沙子、水，并考问学生如果再想让石头也装进杯子里“该怎么放？”。结果，刚才那个充分发挥自己想象力的男孩，没有中老师的“套”。“男孩就把杯子里的沙子和水倒出来，先把石头放进去。”
男孩的举动，表面上看很简单。不就是重复第一次的做法步骤吗？为何刚才那个极具想象力极有创新意识的男孩，这回“走老路”，循规蹈矩了呢？这样的疑问正是故事想要给予读者的启示。套用一个流行述语，石头―沙子―水，最大限度的添满了杯子的空间。事实上，真正充满空杯子的是男孩的科学想象力，而男孩的科学想象力是建立在对物体特征充分把握、物质特性充分利用的基础上，建立在对科学占据空间的规律的基础上。这里的“科学占据空间”其实就是“全面、协调、可持续发展”的科学发展观在一次物理小实验的中的成功运用。
当老师先放石头时，第一次问学生满了吗，这个男孩说没满，还可以放沙子。假如第二个被补充到杯子里的不是沙子而是水，会怎样呢？可想而知，石头、水“充满”的杯子是无法再补充沙子的，已经“满了的”杯子因为补充的沙子会使得杯中的水溢出。
一个空杯子，当人们发挥主观能动性、发挥科学想象力，遵循“石头、沙子、水”的顺序，遵循物质特性派生的科学规律，我们就能够让杯子的空间得到最丰富的充满。反之，如果不顾事物与事物之间产生影响关联所固有的规律，只一味地想当然的“添满”，不仅达不到预想目的，而且会适得其反。
小小杯中折射的“科学发展观”，不也值得人类在工农业发展、环境保护、城市扩张的大课题上反思吗？为什么马路越修越宽而交通却越来越堵塞？为什么高层小区越建越密而人们的精神家园却越来越空虚？为什么太湖巢湖水质在科技发达的今天污染越来越严重？事实证明，“发展”不能不顾生态平衡，遵循科学规律才能发挥物质特性的潜能，否则就会事倍功半，甚至遭到“文明的惩罚”。
Stone, sand, water, the three distinctive, complementary characteristics of the object can be filled with an empty cup, but the premise must be put first stone, sand Add, finally water. In the story, when the teacher to break the law and order, the first release of sand, water, and if the test asked students also want a rock stuffed into the cup, "how-». " The results, just give full play to their imagination that the boy, no teacher in the "Case." "The boys put the cup in the sand and water inverted out, the first stone into it."
Boys move, the surface, is very simple. Is not to repeat the practice of the first steps? » Why has that GREat sense of innovation is very imaginative boy, to "take the old path," it has Xunguidaoju » This is the story of the doubt want to give readers inspiration. Apply a popular reference to the phrase, stone - sand - water, the maximum Tianman a cup of space. In fact, the real is full of empty cups of the boy's scientific imagination, and the boy's scientific imagination is based on fully grasp the features of objects, material and make full use of established on the basis of science occupy space in the law of the foundation On. Here the "science occupy space" is actually "a comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development" concept of scientific development in a small experimental physics in the successful use.
When the teacher to put a stone, the students asked for the first time the right, the boy said no full, can also take the sand. If the second was added to the cup in the sand but not the water, how will it » One can imagine that a rock, water, "full of" the cup is not to add sand, and has "full" added the cup because of the sand will make the cup of water overflow.
An empty cup, when people play a subjective initiative, a scientific imagination, follow the "stone, sand, water," the order, follow the material characteristics derived scientific laws, we will be able to get a cup of the most abundant space is full. Conversely, if ignoring things and things have an impact on association between the inherent laws, only the blindly take it for granted, "Tian Man", aims not only to less than expected, but also counterproductive.
Little Cup refraction of the "scientific concept of development" and not worthy of human beings also in industrial and agricultural development, environmental protection, urban expansion reflection on the major issue? » Why the wide road repair and the traffic becomes increasingly plugged » Why the high-level area of the building and people's spiritual home is increasingly empty » Why did the water quality of Taihu Lake Chaohu in technology developed more and more serious pollution today » Facts have proved that the "development" can not be ignored ecological balance, follow the laws of science can play a physical characteristics of the potential, it will Shibeigongban, or even "civilized punishment."
