Measurement, observation, and analysis of data are important skills to have in a science classroom. Learning how to read a graduated cylinder, then using that knowledge to create or duplicate an experiment is not only a powerful way to learn chemistry, but it is proven to help students retain information beyond "the next test." DOING science is better than just reading about science.
Science is about doing and experiencing. When a student learns about chemical reactions yet does not have the proper equipment to see those reactions take place, the concept is a vague, nebulous idea, losing the concreteness of a real-life application. The student is asked to believe something on blind faith rather than through his/her own observation. The student not only sees the result of the experiment/activity, but actually was a part of the creation and execution, contributing to the student's learning and understanding of the curriculum.
The donations you are providing allow the student hands-on experience with materials they would not be exposed to any other way. Learning how to read from a graduated cylinder so they can create "elephant toothpaste" will be far more meaningful to a student than watching someone else do it. Having the designated location for drying supplies via the drying rack - instead of our current open counterspace - not only instills a sense of responsibility for the students, but also provides a sense of ownership for their materials. Additionally, Erlenmeyer flasks allow students to mix these materials together and see the reaction. And this is just one sample lesson students will be able to do with your generous donation to my classroom! Additional experiments would be making mirrors using silver nitrate, determining how much sodium metal to add to water, and doing a fireworks lab.
About my class
Measurement, observation, and analysis of data are important skills to have in a science classroom. Learning how to read a graduated cylinder, then using that knowledge to create or duplicate an experiment is not only a powerful way to learn chemistry, but it is proven to help students retain information beyond "the next test." DOING science is better than just reading about science.
Science is about doing and experiencing. When a student learns about chemical reactions yet does not have the proper equipment to see those reactions take place, the concept is a vague, nebulous idea, losing the concreteness of a real-life application. The student is asked to believe something on blind faith rather than through his/her own observation. The student not only sees the result of the experiment/activity, but actually was a part of the creation and execution, contributing to the student's learning and understanding of the curriculum.
The donations you are providing allow the student hands-on experience with materials they would not be exposed to any other way. Learning how to read from a graduated cylinder so they can create "elephant toothpaste" will be far more meaningful to a student than watching someone else do it. Having the designated location for drying supplies via the drying rack - instead of our current open counterspace - not only instills a sense of responsibility for the students, but also provides a sense of ownership for their materials. Additionally, Erlenmeyer flasks allow students to mix these materials together and see the reaction. And this is just one sample lesson students will be able to do with your generous donation to my classroom! Additional experiments would be making mirrors using silver nitrate, determining how much sodium metal to add to water, and doing a fireworks lab.
Read more