In School-age 2, the children had fun doing science experiments! Outside, they were encouraged to collect anything they wanted to bring inside. The children collected small rocks, rain water, soil, and woodchips, and put them inside the small test tubes. In the classroom, the children were given oil, baking soda, food colouring, vinegar, and water. They were provided with plastic cups and encouraged to experiment by mixing the materials together and trying different combinations along with the materials they found outside.
Claire discovered that she could make volcanoes with the baking soda, vinegar, food colouring, and rocks! She said that the small rocks looked like lava rocks in the volcano. Aside from volcanoes, she discovered that food colouring and oil do not mix, and that putting food colouring in oil creates small spheres of food colouring. Charlie and Leila hopped in on Claire's experiment by suggesting to add baking soda and vinegar to her oil and food colouring mixture. They were amazed at how the oil contained the baking soda volcano, creating a bubbling concoction with small spheres inside the cup.
During the activity, the children were often heard "I wonder what would happen if I mix these together?" It was amazing to see their minds at work, exploring different chemical reactions and letting curiosity lead their play. The children also enjoyed working together and sharing their scientific discoveries with such enthusiasm. In this experience, the children developed multiple skills. First, they developed their measurement skills by adjusting the amount of materials they needed to create a certain reaction. Then, their inquiry skills were enhanced by asking questions, being curious, and exploring and testing different combinations of materials. Lastly, they developed their cooperation skills by working together and sharing ideas.
We wonder what other materials we can explore, and what other scientific discoveries we can uncover!
