Sunday, June 23, 2013

Term 2 Week 7

Over this term we have been focusing on our Science Inquiry - How does a Mad Scientist organise his pantry? The students have had many learning opportunities based around everyday chemicals, how their state may change (through heat or adding something else) and investigating what acids and bases are. The following photo shows our Ignition Activity where we posed the inquiry question and asked for the students to work collaboratively to design a scientists pantry. This photo shows one group's 3D presentation.

From here a series of experiments were set up and the students were given the opportunity to test their ideas. What was exciting about this was some students followed up what was happening in the classroom at home in their own kitchens - hopefully not too many pots died!

The following photos show our lastest experiment involving testing everyday household chemicals with the red cabbage indicator juice that we had made.

Below is the results of our experiment. The students had to identify which were bases and which were acids. It was exciting to watch the changes take place.
Our next step is to make a composite fabric. This will encourage the students to explore how the properties of two different things come together to meet a need. They will design a container that a Mad Scientist would find useful to have in his pantry.
If you want to see more click on the Brainiacs Class Blog link on the right handside of the page.
Exciting times ahead!