The science fair has some great experiments going on.
The annual science fair is always a fun event. Across grade levels, all students participate and present their projects to the other grades. All students – whether individually or in groups – are responsible for coming up with testable ideas, hypotheses, drawing conclusions and interpreting results.
It’s not always so easy to come up with something that is both interesting and challenging. But, we have a sneak peek of our Omega 7/8 students doing just that.
We visited their classroom recently to see them testing and working diligently on their science projects to get ready for the upcoming science fair. In the Omega classroom, students were working in four different groups on a specific science experiment they chose.
Proving that gases have weight
This particular group set out to prove that gases have weight by using combustion. They weighed out pieces of wood and magnesium before burning. Next, they put each one to flame and tested their weight after the burning process.
Their prediction was that the wood would weigh less, and the magnesium would weigh more.
Omega students set out to prove that gases have weight by burning wood and magnesium, while comparing the weight of each before and after the burn process.
Engineering a Reptile Egg Incubator
The idea behind this science project was to engineer how to transport a reptile egg from site A to site B while using heat chemistry. The goal was to keep the egg stable and warm, as it could not shift position or roll over, nor could it endure temperature fluctuation.
The incubator required calcium chloride, baking soda and water. Students needed to measure whether they could detect temperature changes after they dissolved calcium chloride, and baking soda into water. The eggs needed a constant temperature of 28 – 32C during transport and being able to maintain temperature for a certain amount of time was an important consideration in this investigation.
Two of our Omegan students work on their project: Engineering a Reptile Egg Incubator (with heat chemistry).
The Digestion of Minerals in the Stomach
This group began their science class by heating up small glass pipes and bending them to simulate the “pipes” in human digestive systems. Once complete, they would then mix hydrochloric acid and marble to observe the reaction (much as it would happen in the stomach). The last step was to measure the resulting water and carbon dioxide from the process.
Above: Two Omegans heat and bend glass pipes to simulate “pipes” of the digestive system.
Below: All the materials needed to complete their investigation.
Testing for Vitamin C Content by Titration
Are you curious about how much vitamin C is actually in the things you buy? This group set out to answer those questions by testing how much vitamin C is present in various common beverages through a titration technique. Students used an indophenol solution to determine the presence of vitamin C by how much the color changed. The various beverages they tested included freshly squeezed lemons, limes, and oranges. They also tried orange juice found in the grocery store, and sodas that claimed to have Vitamin C.
This Omega group is checking the presence (and amount) of Vitamin C in common beverages using titration.
The Results
The results from each of these experiments is the subject of the upcoming science fair. You’ll have to check out the Omega 7/8 classroom to find the conclusions to burning magnesium and wood, how to maintain temperature in an egg incubator using chemical reactions, what happens to calcium carbonate when it reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and how much vitamin C is really in our common drinks. Check Rainbow Reminders for science fair details!
I love, love, love the design projects that you chose! You all “went big” – nobody played it safe and picked something easy. And here you go, making change in the world. This is why teenagers rule. – Niki Gilbert
The students’ innovative ideas to create change within the school and greater community were so inspiring! I can’t wait to see the continued impact they will make in the community! – Sandra McCassim
I liked how each of the students had a voice. The process that was used required research, work and much thought. They taught us, the parents, and I loved it! – Dianne Caldwell
The creativity was amazing. It was so inspiring to see Omegans dive in and work hard! You all will be the change that we want to see in this world!! – Ali Banchiere
I was struck by the breadth of issues students had identified; from concerns within our Rainbow community, like bathroom beautification and parking lot safety, to global problems, like global warming, and many in between. – Tracy Hildebrand
In our work we are constantly having to come up with creative solutions to the challenges we face. After observing how the kids used the Design Process to facilitate out-of-the-box ideas, we plan to incorporate this structure into our brainstorming sessions at work. Way to go kiddos! Go out and change the world… it needs you! – Molly Irani
I felt that due to the feedback the students collected throughout their process from classmates and parents, their inventions and ideas were realistic and useful. They were professional and proud in their presentations. – Jen Lauzon
I enjoyed learning a little more about each Omegan; what interests you, what moves you to act on your feelings, interests, and passions, and how you explain your process and share with others. I was inspired by your creativity and innovations. I am hopeful for our future with young people like you doing great things in the world. – Caryn Hanna
Projects like yours do not always work out perfectly. Just like the Wright Brothers making designs, we work on some things, they fail, and we change them. I loved how you were clear and honest about both what did work and about things that didn’t work or might need to be changed. This shows that real learning – and inventing – was happening! – Chris Weaver
Skills learned in the Design Fair will serve a for a lifetime. – Stewart Stokes
I loved how enthusiastic the kids were about their topics as well as how well they presented them. Having them think in this way is really critical as citizens of this planet! Thank you kids! – Jennifer Lazinsk
Several of the presentations gave examples of how each of us could change our daily behavior to improve our environment and here at home we have already changed several things. Others made me more aware of social issues that had not occurred to me and presented doable solutions. I have been to many adult presentations on various issues and the difference was unbelievable. The energy and enthusiasm as well as the wealth of information was inspiring. – Sherry Hill
I was totally blown away by the composure, confidence and maturity displayed by the Omegans at the design fair… At each stop I felt engaged, informed and inspired. It was very moving to see these young changemakers in action. I have no doubt these young people are on their way to being adults who move through life truly “walking the walk” not just talking the talk. – Rachel Hagen
I was so inspired and impressed to see the variety of conundrums being tackled in such innovative ways for the design projects. The sixth graders were also very impressed, and are already talking excitedly about what they’d like to do for their own design projects. – Jenny Armocida
I was impressed with the courage to confront big issues in practical ways. For instance, climate change is a scary proposition but seeing the kids ready and eager to find solutions in immediate practical ways was inspiring. Equally so with issues of gender and animal safety and on down the list. – Billy Goodrum
I could hear murmurings from guests as they left the room saying it is people like these students that will better our world. I felt inspired. I felt proud. I felt humbled. – Susan Waddel
Did you ever go to a symposium at a convention center as a kid? Like a space symposium?
Because that’s what the science fair was like. All the classrooms transformed into exposition sites, complete with beautiful posters, and display boards of colorful, imaginative, and quite advanced scientific experiments and investigations last week.
Students On Tour
Every class at Rainbow had a chance to visit other classrooms to see what other students did. In fact, each class played host, and each class visited all the other classrooms on campus and listened while other students presented their work.
Here you can see Omega visiting the fifth grade classroom. Not only were the fifth graders great presenters, but they also had the Omegans quite interested in what they were doing!
In fourth grade, many more fun and innovative projects characterized the classroom. Fourth graders presented to second grade. It’s simply amazing how well fourth grade presented and how attentive second grade was!
Wouldn’t you like to know more about “What does and does not conduct electricity?” Yeah, we were interested, too.
All around, these projects were quite sophisticated and complex. Each student investigated what interested him or her. To be sure, they take the meaning, “citizen scientist” to a whole new level!
In the video below, we focus on two third grade presenters. Their projects show such in-depth research!
Another third grader looked at hovercraft and if the amount of air in them affected how they float:
And really, does corn syrup actually make bubbles last longer? You’d think so, right?
You’ll have to ask the third grade to find out! How’s that for a cliffhanger?
Over in Omega, you could get a glimpse into how well you read emotions if you’re not looking at someone’s whole face to take in all the information:
And take a look at the Omega classroom itself. It looked like a veritable convention center of scientists and peers at work!
We have so many more fun photos to share! The photos below are courtesy of Sheila Mraz. She was all over campus snapping photos of all the exhibits and presentations.
And we have a resident photographer on campus! The following photos were taken by Ban, one of our Omega students!
You can really capture a glimpse of the breadth, scope and sophistication of these science projects. They’re a big deal around here.
Now, if you have any questions, just ask one of our citizen scientists!
One of the most exciting events of the year….The Rainbow Mountain Science Fair…is fast approaching on February 10. Is your child working on collecting their data yet? For some inspiration, here is a video demonstrating how even the simplest science fair project often has intriguing and unexpected results. You won’t want to eat another non-organic sweet potato after watching it!
By the way, Rainbow Mountain students score exceptionally high (averaging 80th – 90th percentile compared nationally) on standardized science tests. (Something we don’t usually publish, because we aren’t real into standardized tests.) Attend the Science Fair on February 10, and be prepared to learn something new from our amazing students.
