This week, our classroom was filled with excitement as we followed a child’s ongoing question: “When are we going to do science?” Instead of giving a one time answer, this curiosity turned into a series of hands-on science experiences that invited all the children to explore, observe, and wonder together. We began with a volcano experiment, where the children watched closely as the mixture bubbled and overflowed. Their reaction was full of excitement and surprise, and many of them leaned in, eager to see the changes happening right in front of them.
This experience sparked lots of questions and conversations about what made the reaction happen. We also explored a “fireworks in a jar” experiment, which looked a little different from what the children expected. This one required practice, as the reaction did not happen right away.
As we combined the materials the children watched closely while the colours sank and spread through the water. It created a quiet moment of deep focus as the children observed the changes over time, waiting and noticing the small details. We later attempted to create lava lamps, but the experiment did not turn out as planned due to the inaccurate water-to-oil ratio.
Instead of seeing it as a failure, it became an opportunity for discussion. The children noticed the difference right away, and began sharing their thoughts about what might have gone wrong. Through these experiences, the children were not only engaging in fun activities but also building important skills. Moving forward we plan to revisit the lava lamp experiment with adjusted measurements and continue exploring new science ideas.
