STEM is a huge part of who we are at Calderwood.
Recently, the Bens have been exploring the area of chemistry and chemical reactions.
We started by giving the pupils the chance to experience first hand a basic chemical reaction – water, oil and an effervescent tablet! – They were given the instructions but no adult support to carry it out.
This encouraged independent and collaborative learning & problem solving skills.
Next, we watched and observed the magic that took place! The comments, questions and curiosity from them was fantastic.
-“why is mine fizzing so much?”
-“why does the oil sit on top of the water?”
-What makes it do that?”
With our curiosity activated, we learned all about the chemical reaction & creation of carbon dioxide.
The following week, we conducted a fair test and began to explore how scientists set up testing by ensuring variables & conditions were all the same, only making one change at a time.
Children worked amazingly together to investigate their own scientific enquiry questions such as:
“what happens to the amount of fizz if I change the amount of tablets?”
“what happens to the oil bubbles if I use milk instead of water?”- (warning, it smelled awful!)
“what happens to the amount of fizzing time if I use less water?”
Well done, Bens – it was fantastic to watch you experience the wonders of STEM on your own.
