This week Grade 5 worked with the Grade 11 Chemistry students to help Grade 5 understand the ‘Scientific Process’. It was a wonderful experience for us and we thank A.Charles and Grade 11 for their time, knowledge and for helping us understand the scientific process better. Thank you Ben V for your recount about our visit.

Grade 5 Scientists

When we got to the science lab we were given lab coats for protection, then we all sat at a table. A.Charles and the Grade 11’s ran us through the different experiments.

PH Scale Test

The tables in front did PH scale tests, where we put different substances into a tray and put a few drops of what is called ‘Universal Indicator’. If you put some drops of that in the substance it will change color, that matches a certain number on the PH scale. On the PH scale, a 7 is a neutral number; if it’s higher it will be alkaline and if it’s lower it will be acidic.

The Traffic Light Experiment

The traffic light experiment was going on, on the back tables. We first had to make the liquid to do the experiment, which was made out of NaOH pellets, glucose powder, and distilled water. What happens is when you mix it, it oxidizes, which means air gets in, then it turns red. If there is a reduction of oxygen, it turns first green and then yellow; sometimes it will turn blue or orange. After a certain amount of time, the oxygen will escape the liquid and it turned back to red again.