Students in 1st Grade concluded their Lights and Sounds unit through a series of interactive activities.
This special science day marked the completion of a two-month journey in which 1st Grade students delved into the basics of scientific observation and investigation. They explored the scientific method, learned about the three states of matter, and discovered how light and sound can be used for communication. Throughout the day, students applied their newfound knowledge in various experiments, sparking both excitement and curiosity.
The day's activities began with an experiment where students created "liquid rainbows" by layering different liquids based on their densities. “It was so magical to watch the children light up with excitement as they poured their liquids and realized their hypotheses were correct,” shared Mrs. Gunny. “Their sense of wonder and smiles on their faces made for such a great day of fun and learning.”
Next, students crafted cup telephones and experimented with sound transmission. As they tested their inventions, students quickly learned that the string's tension affected the sound's clarity. “I could not believe it really worked! When the string was loose, I could not hear my partner, but when it was tight, I could!” exclaimed Winnie L. '36.
The exploration continued with a tuning fork experiment, where students observed sound vibrations as they caused colorful rice to dance and bounce from the force of the sound waves. Using flashlights, they also experimented with shadows and discovered how different objects altered the shapes and sizes of shadows, enhancing their understanding of light and its properties.
To end the day with a special treat, students learned about the states of matter in the form of root beer floats. Each float illustrated a solid (vanilla ice cream), a liquid (root beer), and a gas (the bubbles from carbon dioxide). This fun and tasty example helped them digest the materials of their lessons in a memorable way. “It was the best day ever! We love science!” said Mila K. '36, summing up the excitement of the entire class.
This science-themed day brought concepts to life and fostered a deep enthusiasm for discovery. Through these activities, Sierra Canyon's young scientists gained confidence in their abilities to observe, experiment, and make sense of the natural world around them.
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