Today the older group focused on the differences between variables while conducting experiments. What is a constant variable? What is an independent variable? They learned about these by building a mini "rocket" using a film canister (can you believe I was able to find some of these! They are considered relics!), vinegar, baking soda, and alka seltzer tablets. Scientists first observed what happens when vinegar is added to baking soda and to alka seltzer tablets. Once those observations were recorded then it was time for campers to meet the challenge: to use the right combination of chemicals to make the top/cap of the film canister "pop" off and fly up into the air. The teams moved to the black top to do this part of the experiment. We discussed that one of the qualities of a scientist is that s/he must be resilient when trying to make a discovery of something new - one must never give up! These young scientists definitely displayed this quality during this investigation, the teams never gave up trying to find the right combination of chemicals that would give them the desired reaction! I am very proud of each of them.
After lunch, the ongoing investigation and challenge was presented: To build a model of a playground using at least three types of small machines such as pulleys and inclined planes. The campers were given different type of materials to use and began this quest. This investigation will take a few days as it is quite creative and challenging. Not only do the scientists need to build their playground with equipment, the teams must also demonstrate how each equipment component is an example of a small machine. I cannot wait to see their finished products!
The younger group continued their investigations on the role of water in living things by writing/illustrating observations of their egg that was immersed in vinegar yesterday - it got bigger, smells disgusting, the shell feels slimy, it looks gross! We also talked about what is making the egg bigger and why is it getting bigger. Two of the eggs broke but we were able to save the inner membrane so it became a wonderful teaching moment as the students were able to discover that there is an inner shell under the hard shell of the egg and that this is the shell that keeps the yolk sac safe.
They also began to learn how to use a light microscope as it was a tool needed to observe cheek cells from their own mouths! Along with this, they also learned how to make a microscope slide themselves and learned why a dye is used by scientists when trying to see cells under the microscope.
The young scientists also checked in with the seeds that were planted yesterday and watered them, any changes observed were recorded and the amount of water drops added was also written down. A neat new "class" plant was planted - The Venus Fly Trap! Observations on the seeds, soil and overall greenhouse used to house this plant were recorded as well. It is exciting to see these young scientists really pay attention to detail as they make observations and record information.
On to day 3!
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