Summer SAVY, Session 4 Day 2, “Solving the Chemical Spill: Navigating Ecological and Chemical Systems” (5th-6th)
Dear Parents,
This continues to be a fun group of students who are full of ideas, hypotheses, and questions!
This morning, we checked on yesterday’s experiment. The students discussed their observations regarding the reactions of the items in the vinegar (substance “A”) and baking soda (substance “B”). Later, after looking at topographic maps, we researched ways to reroute traffic. We needed a detour for the celebratory Vanderbilt football goal post walk to the Cumberland River. The class continued to think of the various perspectives from the stakeholders and discussed how first responders and weather play a part in a chemical spill.
This afternoon, we completed several experiments. We tested cleaning pennies with vinegar and water, and dissolving sugar in hot and cold water. Then, the group compared the evaporation speed of various liquids (vinegar, water, olive oil, and orange juice), which we will continue to monitor this week. At the end of the day, the class performed an experiment testing how water mixes with other liquids (vinegar, detergent, Coke, and baby oil).
Tomorrow we will study pH. We’d love water samples from your tap, as we are going to test them!
Dinner table questions:
- What have you learned so far in the experiments?
- What are your new ideas regarding the chemical spill?
- Which experiment did you enjoy the most?
- Were there any surprising results?
We look forward to tomorrow!
Warmly,
Ms. Elizabeth and Ms. Sharon
