Little Scientists

The students were so excited to begin our first science unit!  We began with learning about the scientific method.  We discussed the steps of asking a question, forming a hypothesis or prediction about what we think will happen, carrying out the experiment and making observations, and reporting the final results.

In our first experiment we asked the question, "How can we keep a banana fresher longer?"  We tried three different ways.  We wrapped plastic wrap around one of the stems, another was put in the fridge, and the third was put in a brown paper bag.  Each student made a hypothesis about which banana would remain freshest, or if it would even make a difference.  We recorded our observations throughout the week.  We found not much difference between the banana with plastic wrap around the stem and the one in the bag.  They both developed small brown spots throughout the week.  The banana in the fridge became a little browner all over but didn't become as spotted as the others.  Once we peeled them, we found them all to be similar.  Ultimately, the class decided the one in the fridge remained the freshest because it remained the firmest while the other two had mushy spots.

In our second experiment we asked the question, "Can we grow gummy bears?"  We weighed and measured each gummy bear before putting them in plain water, sugar water, vinegar water, and lemon water.  Each student made a hypothesis, and we weighed and measured each bear again the next day.  We were amazed to find just how much the bear in the vinegar water had grown!  Although the gummy bear in the vinegar water had grown the most, the bear in the lemon water was a close second.  The class brainstormed many other liquids they could try for this experiment at home!