Pre-Kindergarten Q2 - Wintery Wonderings: We explored all sorts of
Pre-Kindergarten Q2 - Christmas FUN in Science Lab: There was no shortage of Christmas spirit in the STS Science Lab this December! Pre-Kindergarten did all kinds of festive experimenting, including peppermint dissolving, building some Christmas light circuits, and making a batch of Santa's MAGIC milk. Check out all the fun we had below:
Pre-Kindergarten Q2 - Tree Unit: In November, Pre-Kindergarten scientists spent a few weeks studying trees! We learned all the important parts of a tree, including the roots, truck, branches and leaves. We used dirt (yes, dirt) to "paint" tree trunks and yarn to represent roots. During our last lab of the unit, students traveled around to a variety of different "tree stations" to practice alll they'd learned. It was a pretty "tree-rific" few weeks in the Lower School Science Lab!
Pre-Kindergarten Q2 - The FLUBBER POST: Happy Halloween! This week in science lab, students played with FLUBBER, which we re-named "Halloween Slime" to get in the spirit of the season :). I loved watching the young scientists put on their thinking caps and get creative. There were "slime waterfalls," "slime gloves," "slime pumpkins," "slime bridges," "slime ghosts," and a whole host of other spooky creations! A recipe to make more flubber was sent home with all students.
Pre-Kindergarten Q1 - The Learning Garden: Just before Fall Break, Pre-Kindergartners took a visit to the Learning Garden! We walked around and made lots of observations, noticing colors, sizes of leaves, and the differences between plants. The next week, students conducted a Fall-themed "Sink or Float" test, using apples, a REAL slice of pumpkin, one delightfully fall-smelling tea candle, acorns freshly picked from Mrs. Shank's front yard :) and more!
Pre-Kindergarten Q1 - Post #7: On their recent visit to science lab, Pre-Kindergartners explored sinking and floating! This was a great opportunity to introduce our youngest scientists to an important part of the scientific method: making predictions. Before testing each object, I encouraged students to "guess" what might happen. Many of them were surprised by the results!
Pre-Kindergarten Q1 - Post #6: This week in science lab, Pre-Kindergartners wrapped up a unit on the five senses. The young scientists conducted their messiest (and arguably most fun :) experiment yet, and we used each of our five senses to make observations. Students were given a muffin tin filled with different flavors of drink mix, and some baking soda. The students first had a chance to TOUCH and TASTE a drink mix of their choice (after washing hands, of course). Then, they sprinkled a little bit of baking soda over each flavor. Finally, the students pipetted water into each compartment and watched the colorful reactions. We used our eyes to LOOK, ears to HEAR the bubbling, and our NOSE to smell the yummy flavors. We also learned how to use the “science wave” to safely smell when conducting experiments.
Pre-Kindergarten Q1 - Post #5: Recently in science lab, Pre-Kindergartners explored the sense of taste. We started our time by reading a book together, and the kids shared ideas of foods they like to taste. Then, the students learned that each part of our tongue can detect a different kind of taste. We also learned that the tongue is a muscle and got a chance to look at our own tongues and taste buds with a mirror! Finally, the young explorers had a chance to sample something bitter, sour, salty and sweet. There were mixed reviews :o), but everyone still had a great time.
Pre-Kindergarten Q1 - Post #4: On their recent visit to science lab, Pre-Kindergartners explored the sense of smell! The students first traveled to several “scent stations.” They identified the noses of different animals, smelled a variety of herbs from Mrs. Shank’s garden, played a scent matching game, and identified items that have scent verses those that don’t. Next, the students created a “smell-able” picture by gluing scented cotton balls to a flower coloring picture.
Pre-Kindergarten - Quarter 1/Week 3: On their third visit to science lab, Pre-Kindergartners continued a unit on the five senses. This week we explored our eyes and what they enable us to see. The students first traveled to several “sight stations.” They identified the eyes of different animals, looked through prism viewers, sorted items based on their color, used their eyes to match a variety of lids to their corresponding containers, and checked out some cool looking bugs with magnifying jars! Then, students got a chance to look at their own eyes with mirrors. They noticed many different features, including eye lashes, pupils, irises, and blood vessels!
Pre-Kindergarten - Quarter 1/Week 2: On their second visit, Pre-Kindergartners continued studying the five senses. This week we explored hearing and sounds. The students traveled to several "sound stations" and made sounds with water, pebbles, paper, egg shakers, and mini-drums. Next, the young scientists made their own sound shakers using corn kernels, rice, and black beans. They used funnels to add the materials to a centrifuge tube. Each student got to take their sound maker home!
Pre-Kindergarten - Quarter 1/Week 1: On their first visit, Pre-Kindergartners began a unit on the five senses. We first talked about using the five senses when Mrs. Shank needs our attention. If she says, "Give me five!" all students should point their eyes and noses toward her, listen with their ears, hold all five fingers up on one hand and close mouths. We then practiced with the first of our five senses -- touch! The young scientists had an opportunity to touch several different objects (bird feathers, styrofoam balls, textured fabric samples, smooth foam paper) and describe how each felt. Students then created their own "texture rubbing."