Scientific Thinking in Young Minds
It was a typical Friday morning at TIS… or so it seemed. The halls were buzzing with excitement as a group of young explorers from Grade 1 and Grade 3 prepared for a special journey.
At 9 o’clock, tiny footsteps could be heard echoing through the corridors, and a murmur followed into the Science lab, usually reserved for the “big buddies”. But, with older students away on their Experience Week, the Science lab was available for the elementary students to embark on an adventure of their own.
The elementary students have been learning about the scientific method in their classrooms, and were eager to put their learning into practice…in a real lab! Mrs. Connolly, the high school science teacher, welcomed them with a twinkle in her eye, as the wide-eyed first graders looked back at her full of spirit of discovery.
Excitement filled the air as they formulated their hypothesis to the question: what would happen when magnesium metal is mixed with acid? Scientific thinking was set into motion, coming to life as they made predictions, such as a change colour or in size - perhaps it'll even make a sound! The next step was to perform a test: using the tweezers, students carefully added the magnesium to the acid in the testing tube containing it. Their eyes widened in amazement, as the reaction unfolded before them.
They observed attentively as the phenomenon unfolded before them: bubbling, colour change, and the slow disappearance of the metal.
“What happened?” asked Mrs. Connolly. With astute observations and inquisitive minds, the students began piecing together their understanding of the phenomenon and were quick to provide their insights. Each observation was met with thoughtful discussion and a hunger for knowledge.
The analytical ability displayed by our young TIS students serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of education. It reinforces our belief in the transformative power of igniting curiosity and nurturing a love for learning from a young age. We wonder if it hadn't been for the struggle with the ill-fitting goggles on their small faces, would we have noticed they were not Mrs. Connolly's usual teenage audience. She went on to explain the scientific principles behind the reaction.
At TIS we strive to create an environment where students can explore, question, and seek answers with enthusiasm. Witnessing their boundless curiosity and thirst for understanding reaffirms our commitment to fostering a generation of inquisitive thinkers.
