The Science lab is a dramatic play area created to encourage budding chemists by using simple tools to mix common kitchen "chemicals" and observe the reactions. I used clear plastic containers, spoons, eye droppers and dosing syringes to measure and mix vinegar, water, salt and baking powder. I also included small vials of colored water. I introduced this area with specific rules, spoons are for powders and mixing, eye droppers and dosing syringes are for liquids. No Pouring! This was enforced so that there would be enough compounds for a group of 4 to share and helped with fine motor development and self control. It also managed materials so that they did not have to be replaced. I had the center out for 3 weeks and used 1 box of baking soda but still have salt, baby oil and vinegar for other projects. If a group ran out of a compound, it was not refilled. I refilled them for the next group the next day.
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| Students use small plastic containers, like from fruit cups, to mix chemicals and observe reactions. Part of their job was to was out their containers to prepare the center for the next group of students. |
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| I used clear plastic cups with lids and labeled them with painters tape. The vials of colored water are clear, film canister sized containers. The large bottles are "discovery bottles" that have been glued closed. These are ways to observe different liquids. These are and idea from Dr. Jean at drjean.com |
