Audrey Ward - Elementary Science Blog

     Today in the lab, we learned more about the different properties of matter and discovered how these properties can vary depending on the type of matter. We tested many different objects, such as clay, wax, crayons, erasers, chalk, pennies, tin foil, and wood, to determine whether they float or sink, their mass and volume, whether they are attracted to a magnet, and whether they will conduct electricity.       I was able to relate the lab to what I already knew about matter having different properties because I already understood that some materials can float or sink and that certain metals are magnetic, but testing these properties firsthand helped reinforce that knowledge and showed me how these properties can be measured and observed in different ways.       The part about testing for magnetism and floating/sinking was clear and easy to observe, as well as measuring mass and volume. One part that was a little confusing was un...

          This week, we went to six stations in the lab, each with a different scientific phenomenon:  Coke Float : We put four cans into a bucket of water: a mini can of Coke and a mini can of diet Coke, which both floated in the water. We also put a regular can of Coke and a regular can of diet Coke into the water. The diet Coke floated, and the Coke sunk. Our group concluded that the sugar in regular Coke is denser, which causes it to sink, and since diet Coke doesn't contain sugar, it floated. We are still unsure why the Coke mini can didn't sink when the regular size did.  Baking Soda and Vinegar : When the baking soda was mixed into the bag with vinegar, a chemical reaction caused it to become bubbly and carbonated. We also noticed that gas was created as the bag filled. We do not know why this happened.  Cold Soda : When taking the soda can out of the cooler, water begins forming outside the can and causes the can to get warm. This is ...

         This week in lab, we did a simulation/game on natural selection and evolution, where my group members and I each had different traits (represented by utensils - fork, spoon, and popicle stick). These traits either helped our ability to pick up beans (prey) or didn't help. Individuals with the most favorable traits (like fork or spoon) collect the most beans, meaning they are more "successful." Those with less favorable traits struggled. After each round, the organism with the least favorable trait—meaning the one that collected the fewest beans—had the opportunity to choose a different trait (utensil). By the end of three rounds, we used our data to evaluate the hypothesis we had made before starting the simulation. This activity demonstrated the process of natural selection and evolution.  It mirrored real-world evolution, where organisms with advantageous traits survive and pass them on, while less favorable traits become less common.  ...