Written by: Mrs. Kamille L. Dawson
Middle School Science/Math Teacher
Greetings all from the Science Laboratory!
“Trumpet Fanfare!” Watch out everyone!!!! Some cool kids have their licenses!!! Science licenses that is.
I am proud to announce that the 6th grade class at PNA have all officially passed their Science Lab License Test!
The 6th graders were able to customize their licenses. Here is an example.
Well…Mrs. Dawson, what does that mean??
I am so glad you asked!
The 6th graders went through strenuous days of learning the laboratory safety rules, the most common laboratory tools and finally were put to the test.
Using Project Based Learning and practical application, first the students took a written assessment to test their knowledge of proper lab safety and etiquette, secondly each student had to identify the fourteen most common Laboratory Tools, and thirdly a laboratory experiment was set up where each student individually had to walk me through how to use each Laboratory tool properly, and… what to do in a worst case lab scenario.
Here’s the Breakdown:
Step 1- Written Safety Exam(Practical Application)
Students were asked ten Science Lab scenario based questions where one Laboratory Rule was being broken; students were tasked to identify how to rectify the broken rule and choose the proper laboratory procedure
Step 2- Laboratory Tool Identification(Gallery Walk Style)
Fourteen common laboratory tools were chosen and displayed around the Science Lab; each student was tasked to identify all 14 common laboratory tools by writing down the Scientific name on their answer document with correct spelling
Step 3– Mock Laboratory Experiment(Project Based Learning)
A mock Laboratory experiment was set up for students to demonstrate how to use certain tools properly; students were tasked to demonstrate how to find the Mass of an object using the Triple Beam Balance, how to find the Volume of solution using a Graduated Cylinder, how to find the Force of an object using a Spring Scale, and lastly the proper technique of using a Pipette.
Here are some pictures of our future Scientist in action doing an independent Physical Properties Laboratory Experiment!!!
Thank you for taking the time to read my Blog.
Stay tuned to my next blog post, “Exploring the Building Blocks of Matter” But until then I leave you with this quote by an exceptional Physicist Lisa Randall.