BY AMANDA ARNOLD
newsroom@newsandtribune.com
SELLERSBURG —
Did you know if you add oil, water and food coloring into a 32-liter bottle you get a lava lamp? Also, if you mix water, glitter and a small amount of glue in a bottle, the result is a “tornado?”
Every Friday, Elizabeth Sifers’ kindergarten class makes scientific discoveries such as this.
“They are beginning to experiment with it [science]. We don’t expect them to know what a molecule is, or what density is, but the idea is that if we expose them to this at such an early age, and they learn at least one thing they broaden their horizon,” said the Silver Creek Primary School teacher.
Landan Chancey made the lava lamp, and he said that he really enjoyed the experiment on a recent Friday.
“I learned that oil and water doesn’t mix. Next, I’m going to make a tornado,” said Chancey.
Sierra Arnold also said that she learned a lot during the afternoon science lesson, but she thought that making the tornado was challenging.
Sifers got the idea to have the weekly science experiments when she attended a kindergarten workshop two years ago. Since then, she has seen everything from a sink and float to homemade ice cream. A few weeks ago, a classmate made a telephone with two cans in order to demonstrate sound waves.
“They ask all kinds of questions,” she said. “At this age, they are so curious about everything. We hear it all. It’s such an engaging activity.
The activity also encourages family involvement, as each student invites a family member or family friend to assist them with the assignment. Bringing a family assistant also encourages the student to present the experiment in front of the class.
