Wednesday 12 March 2014

Science@Play - Weather

Last month, we attended our first session of Science@Play by Dr Rufaihah and her team from Granada Academy. The theme was on Weather and it was the second monthly session of Science@Play. It was conducted outdoors at Bishan Park which was just perfect as I love outdoor playdates. Nothing like the sound of birds chirping, the feel of the gentle breeze, and the sight of trees around us to add to the experience.

We arrived a little late and by the time we had settled down, the children were listening to a sharing on different types of weather. A few inflatables were passed around of the sun, snowflake and raindrop after the discussion, followed by an activity on making a weather mobile.

I felt that this activity was more suited for children who are probably four and above; who are able to cut, thread strings through a hole, and tie knots on their own. As the little girl is only turning three this year, she couldn't complete it on her own but I tried to make it as child-centred as possible by letting her cut the strings and thread them, and choose where to hang the pictures. By the time the activity had ended, we had completed hanging only three pictures but that was totally fine. We kept the other two to complete the mobile at home.

The pretty weather mobile 

The next activity was to make a tornado in a bottle. An empty bottle was half-filled with water then a special cap was screwed onto it so that another empty bottle could be fastened on top. Then the two bottles were quickly overturned and given a quick swirl so that the water in the top bottle would spiral down in a tornado-like motion.

Of course when I got home, I had to find out why a vortex was created in the bottle. We all know that when water flows out from a container, air has to enter to take the space previously occupied by the water (now that's a textbook answer or something students memorise for their exams). That is why when we pour, we hold the bottle at an angle so that the water flows out smoothly as air is able to enter at the same time. Or when we make a hole in a milk can, we make another hole so that air can enter while we are pouring out the milk.

Have you tried pouring out water while holding the bottle vertically? Well I have, as an experiment of course. The water gurgles out or comes out in spurts as air and water have to take turns going in and out respectively. And if sufficient air doesn't get to enter, the bottle will slowly collapse so that there's a smaller space in it. Amazing stuff! Once students experience this, they'll never ever forget the lessons on Matter.

So back to the tornado in the bottle. The bottle was given a swirl to create a vortex with a hole in the middle so that air can come up the bottle and water can swirl into the bottle below. Now that totally makes sense, doesn't it? Without giving it a swirl, and the vortex, the water will not flow down smoothly due to the explanation above. You can read about the tornado in a bottle at Steve Spangler Science to create your own at home!


Observing the tornado in a bottle

Next was an activity which got the children all excited as it was time for some messy play! They each got a bowl filled with some water. A spoon of white powder was added and voila, the powder erupted into fluffy "snow"! The instant snow, which is a polymer, felt cool to the touch and wasn't clumpy or sticky. The children poured it out, threw it on themselves or squished it with their hands. My neat little girl, who loves to scoop and transfer, immediately scooped it back into the bowl with a spoon after it was overturned.

I think the time given for the activity was too short as the children would have loved to play with the instant snow for a longer time. I am trying to get my hands on some of that instant snow powder. I would place the snow in a large basin or at the water table, with some scoops and containers, and I know the little girl would be absorbed in it for an hour or so, for many days.


Playing with instant snow

The last activity for the day was an exploration with dry ice. Some dry ice were placed in measuring cylinders, water was added, and the children were amazed with the bubbling in the water and white smoke that escaped. Immediately the children grabbed the metal tongs to add more dry ice to the cylinders. Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide so when it reacted with water, the gas produced is a combination of carbon dioxide and water vapour. The smoke that you see is a cloud of tiny water droplets.

Mesmerised by the reaction of dry ice with water

Food colouring was added to the three cylinders to add to the excitement and the children continued to add dry ice. What they forgot to do though was to add water to the cylinders as without water, the above reaction would not take place and bubbling and smoke would cease. Finally, some dishwashing liquid was squirted into the cylinders and soap bubbles erupted from them. There was no way to contain the children's excitement after that. You can read some dry ice experiments at Steve Spangler Science to do your own at home!

Colour added to add to the excitement

All the kids clamoured to add more dry ice

 Kids went crazy when dishwashing liquid was added

The little girl wanted to add some dry ice too

Of course there was science behind the tornado in a bottle (vertex), instant snow (polymer) and dry ice (sublimation and chemical reaction), but the children, aged 2-6, were too young to understand those. If we were at home, I would probably tell a simplified explanation to the little girl. I'm looking forward to the Science playdate by Umar's ummi as I know Teacher Za will surely give a brief scientific explanation for the activities.

The next session of Science@Play, with the theme on Five Senses, will take place on 31st March at Bishan Park. Can't wait for the next one! Looking forward to see you there!

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