Shaking Up Science

We have been studying Mixtures & Solutions in the science lab with Mrs. Hwande this month.  One of the things we have learned is that solids have different properties which can help us identify them.  One of these properties is solubility; its ability to dissolve and how much of it can be dissolved in a given amount of water.  Yesterday morning, Mrs. Hwande provided students with a mystery substance and a chart with a list of possible solids.  Students were charged with using the property of solubility to identify the substance.  This process requires students to mix the substance with water in increasing amounts by shaking it.  Why would we want to simply shake it, when we could dance, too?  Enjoy checking out our work!

Using a filter to separate the solution from the undissolved solid.

Using a balance to determine the mass of the solution, which allows us to figure out solubility with some simple math.

Kosher salt crystals from an earlier investigation.  Notice the trademark square shape with the X on top which helps us identify this as a kosher salt crystal.

Novel Engineering Brings Innovation to Fifth Grade

Since returning from break, our grade level has embarked on a reading unit entitled, "Novel Engineering."  In this unit, our classes shared the book A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park and used the engineering cycle to design solutions for the characters' problems.  The results have been compassionate, creative, and collaborative.

This group created shoes for the character who had to spend her days walking barefoot in order to get water for her family.

This group created a container that the character could carry to collect the dirty water from the pond.  Inside the container is a filter system to clean the water so that it can be used.

This group created a portable tent structure for the character to get shade and shelter during his journey walking to find safety.

This group designed a well with a pump for residents of the character's village.

This group designed a tool to help the main character hunt for food during his journey.  It can be thrown and will wrap around the fleeing creature.

This group created a well for the village of the character.

Now that the students have gone through this process in groups, they are working on individual projects linked to their own independent reading books.  Students will present their solutions to each other on Thursday morning.  The goal for this project is not a collection of perfect prototypes, but an opportunity for students to use the empathy they build for the characters they read about to consider potential solutions for the problems those characters face.  We want them to see the value in the process of brainstorming, researching, planning, testing, revising, and retesting.

Already, I am so impressed by their ideas!  Take this one, for instance, which addresses a problem from the book March by John Lewis.  This student created a protective vest to be worn during peaceful protest marches to keep the characters safe if they are violently confronted or attacked.  It can be removed and transforms to look like a tote bag.

I hope they continue to carry this innovative spirit with them as they grow in their lives!