Week 14

 




  1. What did you learn this week? This week in lab, we looked back at some of our first experiments to understand them better. One of the activities we talked about as a class was the plunger experiment. We tried to figure out why a plunger sticks to some surfaces but not others. We learned that it sticks because there's no air between the plunger and the table, which creates suction. We also talked about the different states of matter, like solid, liquid, and gas, and what makes each one different. We looked at how the particles in each state are arranged and move. Later, we worked in small groups and made short videos about two experiments including one about why ice melts faster on metal than on wood, and another about why water forms on the outside of a soda can. My group focused on condensation and figured out that it happens when warm, wet air touches something cold and turns into tiny drops of water. That’s why a cold soda can gets wet on the outside, even though nothing spilled.
  2. Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew? I can connect what we learned to things I already knew. For example, I already noticed that a cold drink gets wet on the outside, but I used to think it was leaking. Now I understand that the water comes from the air. When the warm air touches the cold can, the water in the air turns into little drops, that is called condensation. Also, I’ve seen that plungers stick well to smooth surfaces like tables or tiles, but not to rough ones. Now I know that’s because smooth surfaces don’t let air in, which helps the plunger stick. These experiments helped me understand why those things happen.
  3. How can you apply what you've learned to your teaching in the future? In the future, I can use what I learned in this lab to help my students enjoy and understand science better. Doing fun, hands-on experiments like the plunger sticking to the table or ice melting faster on metal and looking at how condensation works can help students see how science is all around them in real life. These activities are easy to try but show big science ideas, like how heat moves or how suction works. I learned that using real-life examples, like a cold soda can or the difference between wood and metal, helps students connect the lesson to things they already know. This makes it easier for them to understand and remember. I also learned that it’s important to use simple words and ask questions that get students thinking. That way, they feel safe to share their thoughts, even if they’re not sure.

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