{"id":4047,"date":"2022-09-09T19:19:20","date_gmt":"2022-09-09T18:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/wl\/calderwood\/?p=4047"},"modified":"2022-09-09T19:19:20","modified_gmt":"2022-09-09T18:19:20","slug":"stem-in-the-bens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/wl\/calderwood\/2022\/09\/09\/stem-in-the-bens\/","title":{"rendered":"STEM in The Bens"},"content":{"rendered":"

STEM is a huge part of who we are at Calderwood.<\/p>\n

Recently, the Bens have been exploring the area of chemistry and chemical reactions.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

This encouraged independent and collaborative learning & problem solving skills.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Next, we watched and observed the magic that took place! The comments, questions and curiosity from them was fantastic.<\/p>\n

-“why is mine fizzing so much?”<\/p>\n

-“why does the oil sit on top of the water?”<\/p>\n

-What makes it do that?”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With our curiosity activated, we learned all about the chemical reaction & creation of carbon dioxide.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Children worked amazingly together to investigate their own scientific enquiry questions such as:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“what happens to the amount of fizz if I change the amount of tablets?”<\/p>\n

“what happens to the oil bubbles if I use milk instead of water?”- (warning, it smelled awful!)<\/p>\n

“what happens to the amount of fizzing time if I use less water?”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Well done, Bens – it was fantastic to watch you experience the wonders of STEM on your own.<\/p>\n