Week 2 Day 5: Showing off what we've learned!

OLDER GROUP: SCIENCE EXPO!

After four days of learning how chemistry happens in the kitchen the young chemists had the opportunity to showcase an experiment of their own.  Each team had the opportunity to present to the rest of the group what their experiment involved.  Teams had to present materials and procedures for the experiment and then had to demonstrate how the experiment could be conducted.  These young women and men not only did a fantastic job demonstrating the experiment, as an audience they gave their colleagues undivided attention.  All wrote down in their journals the materials and procedures for each of the experiments showcased.  Because we had been practicing writing lab reports all week, it was second nature for theses scientists to proceed using these skills throughout the demos.  Now they can replicate each experiment at home in their own kitchens, even changing the variables for other possible results. I am very proud of all them!  Well done everyone!

 

Setting up!

Getting ready for demos!

We are almost ready!

Presenting materials and procedures for making a lava lamp.

Materials and procedures for creating a balloon "bomb" using apple vinegar and sodium bicarbonate, a.k.a baking soda.

Precision in measurements (sneaking math in!) is crucial in making "Blueberry Surprise"

Writing down materials for a demonstration of what temperature chocolate melts the fastest.

Writing down materials and procedures of what happens when milk, food coloring, and liquid dish soap mix.

Let the demonstrations begin!

Let the demonstrations begin!

Let the demonstrations begin!

Let the demonstrations begin!

Let the demonstrations begin!

Let the demonstrations begin!

Let the demonstrations begin!

THE OUTCOMES AND RESULTS!

Can you see the flying bottle and purple balloon?

Mr. Justin testing out the geyser, boy did he confirm the experiment works!

YOUNGER GROUP: MORE ON BIRD ADAPTATIONS!

The younger group spent the day reviewing and recapping on what an adaptation is.  To do so they conducted an experiment in which airplane wings were compared between two types of planes.  We then had a discussion on what types of birds have short wings and long wings and why that would make a difference.  We then compared the beaks of those birds that have short wings with those that have long wings, is there a pattern?  Indeed these young scientists discovered the pattern!  And what fun was had while conducting the experiment!

Making the planes.

Making the planes.

Making the planes.

Making the planes.

Making the planes.

Making the planes.

Getting ready to test out the short-winged planes.

Testing the planes outside, which one flew the longest?  Which one stayed in the air the longest?  Which one went the longest distance?

Testing the planes outside, which one flew the longest?  Which one stayed in the air the longest?  Which one went the longest distance?

In the afternoon young campers discussed worms by blowing up huge "worm" balloons, what is it about their shape that helps them survive in their environment?

Big worm!

Worms galore!

THE END OF A GREAT WEEK!

Thank you for lending me your children for the past week(s), I have truly enjoyed getting to know them and have had a great time doing science with them!  Please continue to foster their spirit of curiosity for the natural world and have them use their journals to continue to record their observations.  Have a great rest of your summer young scientists, till next summer!!

A SPECIAL THANKS GOES OUT TO MY AMAZING STAFF WHO WERE MY RIGHT HAND AT EVERY STEP OF THIS CAMP SO KUDOS TO MR. JUSTIN, MISS EMILIE, AND MISS JESSE! YOU ROCK AND ARE AMAZING SCIENTISTS!!!!

Day 4: Skittle Chromatography & Bird Beak Adaptations

Today the older group conducted an investigation that helped them understand what chromatography is and how it is used.  To do this experiment we had to use Skittles (how unfortunate!) and saline solution (water mixed with salt).  In the second investigation campers made Flubber - a polymer, matter that is neither a solid or a liquid.  The young chemists had quite a blast testing what Flubber is able to do.

Because we have been focusing on chemistry, it was important that today campers realized what matter really is at the molecular level.  To help them understand what atoms and molecules are campers created models of the different molecules we have been using this week utilizing modeling clay.  Campers built water molecules along with alcohol (rubbing), sodium chloride (table salt), a basic carbon molecule found in most solids, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and a fatty acid (found in oils).  Another fun day in the kitchen!

Skittle chromatography lab begins!

Making observations

Building molecules

The younger group focused on adaptations specific to birds among other animals.  First we redefined what an adaption is and campers wrote/illustrated examples of adaptations in their journals.

The young scientists then were tasked to build/make a model of an animal, specifically a bird among others.  They built their animals out of modeling clay.  Campers had to then describe what the adaptation of the animal was and show where it was found on their model.

The young scientists also played a fun game to help them further understand adaptations.  The game consisted of using specific types of bird beaks (cloth pins, toothpicks, and spoons) to "capture" specific types of foods (macaroni, beads, string, etc).  Campers were able to deepen their understanding of how specific types of beaks are designed to be able to catch specific types of foods.  After lunch campers checked in on their living animals and learned more about how feathers are an adaptation for birds.  They then painted their own creations of birds using real feathers glued on to their paintings.  It was a fun yet educational day!

Day 3: Camouflage and All About Density!

During day 3 campers in the younger group continued to focus on animal adaptations, specifically camouflage and skin coverings.  They also continued to observe the living animals they have been keeping track of: worms in habitat and beta fish.  Campers wrote a fictional story about their worms, the story had to include an adaptation of fish and why that adaptation is important to them.  They also made caterpillars and lady bugs and discussed the adaptations that make these critters survive.  Campers also each adopted a desert animal (a sponge) which they named and soaked in water.  By learning how the water gets soaked up into the sponge these young scientists were able to conceptualize that desert animals and plants are able to keep and retain water within - an adaptation specific to desert living things.  What a fun day!

Learning about camouflage: campers had to illustrate a portion of the design given, then glue it on - the glued on piece is camouflaged because it looks so much like the background!

More camouflaging!

Can you tell which one is the real one?

Another example of camouflage

Observing the worm habitats and the insects the campers have been catching during their time outside after lunch!

Cover of one of the worm stories

Part of a story

Another worm story cover

Part of another worm story

Another worm story

The word of the day for the older group of scientists as "DENSITY" - campers learned that density is a measurement of matter and learned what the formula stands for D = m/v, in which D stands for density, m for mass and v for volume.  Each word was explained and described.  After getting this part down in their journals campers conducted a couple of kitchen chemistry labs that helped them further understand what density is and how it works.  After lunch it was time to get our rock candy experiment set up!  Man oh man was that fun!  Sixteen pounds of sugar that had been boiling in a pot with water for three hours became a yummy liquid.  Kitchen chemistry can really be lots of fun!

Setting up for the first density lab: comparing densities between liquids (oil, alcohol, and vinegar) using water as the constant variable in all three.

Another group setting up their experiment

Making the first observations and writing them down, which liquid remains at the top?  What does that mean in terms of its density?

Testing densities and making observations

Rock candy lab!  Taking the temperature and observing that a solution made of sugar and water has a higher boiling temperature than water - a whopping 104 degrees Celcius!

Sticks dipped in water and covered with sugar.

Writing down observations about rock candy set-up.

Going deeper and investigating what the sugar syrup looks like under a light microscope.