The theme for the older group this week is "Kitchen Chemistry" - we are going to explore and investigate chemicals and chemical interactions that could occur using chemicals found in a common kitchen. From cooking chemicals to cleaning chemicals these young scientists will explore as much as they can about these substances. Parents beware that most of the experiments we are conducting this week can be reproduced in YOUR kitchen! I have told campers that it is very important that an adult supervise their investigations done at home so do not be surprised if your young scientist comes home wanting to help you out more in the kitchen during diner ; )
To start things off these scientists conducted an investigation about which chemicals found in the kitchen are acidic or basic. After a quick mini lesson on what makes a chemical an acid or a base campers got started on the investigation. Red cabbage juice was used as the indicator while teams chose from an array of chemicals to test. Before testing campers made an educated guess - a hypothesis about which of the chemicals tested were indeed an acid or a base. Samples of chemicals tested came from all sources found in a home such as mouthwash, rubbing alcohol, liquid dish detergent, sunscreen, baking soda, cola, lemon juice, green chile peppers, and even dog food among others!
Discussing hypothesis
Recording actual results
More testing
Making observations - the brighter the color the higher the acidity of the chemical
Writing down observations - the darker the color the more basic is the chemical
More observations
Determining color changes
Overall class results for most common chemicals used by teams
Observing results
After recording results we conducted another experiment in which we predicted which chemical would do the best job at cleaning a rusted penny given the results from the first investigation. The result: According to the scientists data mouthwash and dog food (really!) were the chemicals that cleaned the penny the most!
After testing concluded some of the scientists (brave souls!) wanted to taste first hand a specific chemical used in this investigation - Thickened Water which apparently people use when they have a hard time swallowing due to a sickness such as strep.
This was the reaction to the tasting experiment : )
After lunch this group conducted another investigation - using household chemicals to make quick sand or Oobleck!
Campers first wrote down the list of materials needed and the procedure before heading outside to see if they indeed would be able to get the right combination of corn starch and water to create quicksand. The results? As usual these scientists demonstrated their determination to keep trying until getting the optimal results.
A team working on finding the right combination and recording information as they went along
Another team at work
Getting their hands dirty in order to figure out a proper combination
While the older group spent the day getting familiar with household chemicals, the younger group of scientists began their weekly quest to learn more about animals and the different ways in which scientists study animals. To start things off campers conducted an investigation that helped them understand how animals are grouped/classified and the process scientists go through to classify animals. Teams were given a set of toy animals for which they had to group by specific characteristics.
Writing down a classification chart for animals that live in the ocean/water
Another classification chart
After conducting the classification investigation and discussing ideas with the other groups the young scientists moved on to the next investigation - Explaining how animals that live in freezing temperatures are able to stay alive and maintain their body temperature. Campers were able to conceptualize that it is the thick layer of blubber under the animals' skin that helps them stay warm and dry. They did so by using Crisco lard as a model of blubber and dipping their own hands in the lard followed by dipping their hands in water and observe what happened.
Experiencing what happens when blubbler touches water
Pretending to eat blubber!
Blubber feels weird!
Blubbler is messy and does not come off!
Blubbler feels VERY werid but especially when mixing with water.
Lastly, each camper was able to paint an animal which they will be using in a future lab this week.
And so these are the happenings of the first day of camp week 2. Tomorrow will be another exciting day!
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