In Science Class . . . Late Sept/Early Oct

Hello everyone, here's what has been going on in our science program.

5th Grade: 5th graders continued their exploration of mixtures by examining salt crystals (saltwater post evaporation), determining a plan for separating a dry mixture and most fun of all, chemical reactions! On Monday, students created gases and precipitates through various combinations of citric acid, calcium chloride, baking soda and water.  Today kids discussed the Periodic Table and the concept of atoms and molecules.

• What is a chemical reaction? What are some examples and non-examples? (FYI, good non-examples include dissolving, phase change and soda under pressure.)
• How is the periodic table useful for humans?
• Why are there so many different substances on earth if there are only 90 types of atoms?
• How do the atoms change in a chemical reaction?

4th Grade: We wrapped up our exploration of magnetism by creating a hanging compass and detecting magnetic fields of magnets inside boxes. Early this week, we lit a bulb using just a battery and wires. Today, we examined how electricity flows in a circle and requires no spaces in wiring. We were able to turn our bulbs on and off using a switch.

•  How did our hanging magnets detect the magnetic field of the earth? How were iron filings and a real compass helpful for detecting the magnetic field of magnets in a closed box?
• How did you get the light bulb to go on? What did you find out about the wiring?
• How does a switch work? What is the difference between an open and closed circuit?