| Dexter's Laboratory |
| Grade: first/second Time: 60-70 mins. Center activities completed in groups for 15 minutes each. Objectives: 1. Make multiple observations of events and exploring. 2. Seek information from many different sources. 3. Test ideas using physical materials and models. 4. Examine existing knowledge by asking "Why?" and "How do we know?". 5. Record ideas, data and events by using a variety of media. 6. Exploring and discussing with other students in a small group setting. Overview of Project: During daily center activities and while completing a unit on bubbles, students were asked to pretend to be Dexter from "Dexter's Laboratory", the cartoon show. They conducted simple experiements and recorded data. They also came to conclusions about the experiments that they completed and recorded them in a lab booklet provided. (See lab booklet examples) Students were split into four groups and told where each experiment would take place. Materials were set up ahead of time in various stations around the room. There were four stations that each student visited and recorded findings. Activity Descriptions: 1. Students blow up a balloon and let the air out. They determine if the air that came out of the balloon could be seen. They then try this procedure again, but let the air out in a tub of water. Next students are asked to place a straw into the same tub of water and blow gently into it. Observations are recorded in the lab booklet. Students make record on whether or not air can be seen. 2. Students place a crumbled paper towel in the bottom of a glass. Slowly, they turn the glass over and put it into a tub of water. After submerging the glass they slowly take the glass out and observe whether the towel is wet. Students will conclude that air takes up space. 3. Students complete a floating raisins experiment. They fill a jar half full with water, stir in baking soda, drop in five raisins and add vinegar. (All ingredients are premeasured in containers before experiment begins.) Students observe the reaction that takes place after adding the vinegar and record what happens. Bubbles form around the raisins and carry them to the top of the jar of water. When the bubbles escape from the top, the raisins fall to the bottom, which continues to repeat itself. This will give an effect of having dancing raisins. Students record observations. (2 tablespoons baking soda, five raisins, 2 tablespoons vinegar) 4. Students blow various bubbles and record predictions. They see how far and how many bubbles they can blow by following the set of directions in the lab book. Predictions and actual results are recorded. Materials: 2 large tubs of water balloons balloon pump straws paper towels tape plastic glass 4 small jars or large drinking glasses box of raisins vinegar baking soda water bubble mix lab booklets paper towels for clean up |