Invitation to Explore Chemistry Just Like Marie Curie

Marie Curie is most known for her pioneering research on radioactivity, including the discovery of the elements polonium & radium. She was the 1st person to win two Nobel Prizes, one in physics & one in chemistry.  Learning about her for not only #womenshistorymonth but #womeninstem is a no brainer! 

After reading a story about her, we invited the children to explore chemistry just like #MarieCurie. To set this invitation in our @discountschoolsupply Tuff Tray we placed @learningresources beakers + cylinders, pipettes, TTS potions bottles, Excellerations® Super Test Tubes with Stands, beverage dispenser, magnifying glasses, & test trays. In some of the containers vinegar mixed with @colorations.artoflearning metallic paint and in others just water. In other containers we mixed @armandhammer baking soda & @dawndishwash soap. The children were invited to experiment with ingredients and not only create a chemical reaction but see it unfold right before their eyes. When baking soda (base) & vinegar (acid) are mixed together, one of the products this reaction creates is carbon dioxide gas. The carbon dioxide gas escapes, & that gas forms the fizz you see.

Since children are born with a sense of wonder & a passion to understand the world around them, they instinctively & constantly ask questions, observe, & try out solutions. Through these types of invitations children build a foundation for future scientific learning that can directly influence their interests later in life. Children are programmed from birth to be scientists & by tapping into their natural predispositions early on, we can nurture & establish a positive approach to science that will stay with them into the future & foster a lifelong lover of science or any subject for that matter.

Providing these kind of opportunities supports the development of other skills & attributes such as: communication skills, collaborative skills, team working perseverance, analytical, reasoning, problem-solving skills, expands their vocabulary, encourages them to extend & embed their learning through related literacy/numeracy, honor creativity, develops patience, turn taking/listening, organization, attention to detail, & so much more. These are all lifelong skills that will help them throughout the rest of their lives.