Summer SAVY, Session 5 Day 4, Chemical Spill (Pilote) (3rd-4th)
Hello Savy Families,
We are wrapping up our week tomorrow, and I cannot believe it! Our students have been working hard to create hypotheses, make observations, analyze data, and write conclusions during our experiments today. Students used pH strips to discover how acidic some common kitchen items are. This will allow students to design an experiment about how to neutralize or dilute an acid tomorrow, which will help them determine solutions to our chemical spill. These student scientists are masters of the scientific method by now. We looked in greater detail at the differences in concentration of the Hydrogen ions on the pH scale. Each number on the scale has 10 times more hydrogen ions as you move down the scale.
We discussed biotic and abiotic factors in ecosystems and then began learning about the Cumberland River Basin. We learned how much usable water on earth exists compared to the amount of water in the ocean. It is incredibly small–a drop in a bucket. Students are excited to research more about an animal in the Cumberland River Basin and critically think about how we can solve the problems humans create for our precious water and ecosystems. They will work as a team to provide solutions to a dangerous chemical spill that not only affects the people of Nashville but also the ecosystem of the Cumberland River Basin.
We have an amazing opportunity to visit the chemistry lab tomorrow. Students can come prepared with questions to ask the scientists.
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What are your new ideas regarding the chemical spill?
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What are some of your ideas from the nature walk?
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Describe how to neutralize an acid or a base.