The sixth graders spent October studying changes in matter. They began the unit by investigating how solutions form, exploring ways to increase the speed at which to create a solution, and experimented with mixing liquids that do not form solutions.
After experimenting with solutions of water and other solvents the children began to learn about chemical reactions. They used electricity in an endothermic reaction to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Following this, they investigated reactants and products and the temperature changes caused by chemical reactions.
As October creeps into November the sixth graders are learning about the properties of acids and bases and how indicators can be used to identify the approximate pH of solutions. At the end of the unit the kids will use acids and bases on indicator soaked blotting paper to create colorful “chemeleons".