The XP teachers, Bekke and Vida, are our resident science experts and have led science workshops across the country. As a team, Bekke, Vida and I have been talking about integrating the studio and classroom philosophical approaches more. Science is the natural starting point. The XP teachers had prepared for this experiment by having conversations about molecules and density, buoyancy and chemical reactions with the children. The whole class came into the studio after lunch ready to experiment. Initially Bekke reminded the children of their prior research relating to objects that sink in water and objects that float in water. After some time she introduced the question, "Are there some liquids that sink in water and some that float?" A lively discussion followed and then the experiment began. Below you can see some of the ingredients prepared for the days investigations.
It turns out that syrup SINKS in water!
And oil FLOATS!
It also turns out that metal is very dense and sinks all the way to the bottom of all three layers of liquids.
While pasta is denser then oil and water but floats on the surface of the syrup.
Raspberries on the other hand are denser than oil but float on water.
And a rubber ducky floats on the surface in all!
Next, we spent some time recording our observations in science journals.
A few noticed that one raspberry got logged with water and sunk to the level of the syrup.
Then it was time to play and explore in small groups.
Each group had a pie plate full of oil and containers with colored water, colored vinegar, and colored clear soap.
To further our investigations the children sprinkled baking soda on the surface creating chemical reactions only in the colored vinegar. Then we pulled prints of our colorful experiments. Stay tuned to see how these discoveries impact the studio in the weeks ahead...We never know what will happen!!
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