Summer SAVY, Session 5 Day 1, Chemical Spill (Lowe) (3rd-4th)
Oh no! A truck carrying an unidentified liquid has crashed over the bridge along the Cumberland River in downtown Nashville! This week in Chemical Spill, we are investigating! The students are trying to figure out what chemicals spilled, how to keep the ecosystem safe, and how to keep Nashville up and running. Through experimentation with pH and acid and base chemistry, the students will solve for key information related to the spill. They will learn about the effects on the plants and animals within the Cumberland River Basin. The class will consider the impact on the economy, transportation, and environment. Also, each day we will have “Would You Rather?” science questions where students choose and defend their stances, and we have science jokes. We are solving a real-world problem while exploring science through books, Kahoot and Blooket games, famous art pieces, experiments, discussions, and activities.
Monday:
What a fun group of students with fascinating ideas, opinions, and thoughts! We were amazed at their “Would You Rather” justifications, and hypotheses regarding our ongoing chemical spill. In the morning, we played a few science games to get to know each other. The students brought up interesting topics (constellations, giant sea creatures, time travel, etc.), and made various connections between their ideas. Then, the class discussed what it means to be a scientist as well as various fields in science. The students were introduced to the scientific method through the chemical spill problem. We wore lab coats and goggles for our lab. The lab partners started their first experiment testing “substance A” (vinegar and water), and “substance B” (baking soda dissolved in water) on items found at the chemical spill scene (plants, metal, wood, concrete, fabric, plastic, glass, and grass). We observed these for 60 seconds, recorded our observations, and will be monitoring these experiments all week.
Dinner table questions:
- What can you tell me about the chemical spill?
- What did you choose in one of the “Would You Rather?” activities and why?
- What did you contribute to the discussion, games, or activities today?
- What was surprising to you today?
We look forward to tomorrow!
Warmly,
Ms. Elizabeth & Mr. Sam