They are encouraged to learn with and alongside others Using a range of strategies and skills to play and learn with others | te ngākau aroha. (Te Whariki: Contribution / Mana tangata)
Exploring and doing with hands on learning is the best way to explore science.
Over the last few weeks the children have been engaged in a range of ‘experiments’. We have looked at chemistry, physics and are now exploring biology. With chemistry we have looked at the effects of adding different substances to water to change its density and therefore the effect this has on whether objects can float. We have mixed baking soda and dishwashing liquid inside lemons. We have gathered enough objects from around kindy to equal the weight of an olympic gold medal (500g). We have made a huge volcano in the sandpit with vinegar and baking soda. Mixing and weighing during our baking sessions. Lava lamps with oil and vinegar. Finding what melts ice quickest bu adding different ingredients such as salt water… And plenty more!
As well as these planned activities the children have continued to experiment with mixing and predicting in their free play. Zoe added baking soda mixed with conditioner. She was revisiting the science experiment from the day before through her cooking in the mud kitchen, as she began to make predictions on what might happen when they added it to their lemon soup. The other tamariki watched in fascination to see what was about to happen too. Luke decided to test melting ice in a whole bucket of water and found this to be a very efficient method!
Our floating and sinking lead to making boats with sails, which led to paper aeroplanes. Mixing of ingredients has lead to painting with shaving foam, gloop and on a range of surfaces.
Science is everywhere!!! And we are ready for the doing!!