Young scientists prove theories with creativity
Ruby Hackett tests the best surface for a Hot Wheel to go the fastest. Photos/Kathryn Reed
By Kathryn Reed
Yarelly Hernandez was all business when it came to explaining why the volcano was exploding.
The yellow lava spilled forth just as she intended. That’s what happens when baking soda, water and dish soap are combined. A little food coloring added to the drama.
The Bijou Community School first-grader was showing off her project during the annual science fair. The multipurpose room became a science lab the afternoon of Nov. 19. The only thing missing was white lab coats.
Each student had to start with a question. From there a hypothesis was developed. The materials they used had to be listed. The results were documented as well as their conclusion.
For the students in the two-way immersion program their projects were all done in Spanish.
“They are talking and building a vocabulary in science,” teacher Laura Chappel told Lake Tahoe News.
The whole process started about three weeks ago when a packet about the event and what was expected was sent home. Parents could help, but the students were to do the bulk of the work.
Yarelly Hernandez uses baking soda to make her volcano erupt.
Presentations were made before their peers in class. On Thursday it was time show off their expertise to parents, teachers, classmates and school board members who roamed the room.
Ruby Hackett had a Hot Wheels contraption where she shot a car on a track to see how fast it would go in various conditions. It was a definite Tahoe-esque test to see if the vehicle went faster on dry conditions or with salt water. The brine solution was the fastest surface.
For Diego Palacios he wanted to create lava lamps.
“I learned vegetable oil and water never mix because of the molecules,” Diego told Lake Tahoe News.
He came up with the idea for the project by doing some research on the Internet.
Diego combined water, oil and antacid tablets to get a fizzy sensation that resembled lava lamps. Food coloring completed the effect.
GR8 picture Ruby…Good Job!
I’m so thrilled to see these kids doing the science experiments and explaining them in Spanish, no less. Combined learning! The perfect way to put knowledge of science and usage of a second language to work. I’m so proud of Bijou School.
Liberule,
The only thing more disgusting than your stupid comment about the Bijou Elementary school’s highly innovative and successful program is the nightmare that someone like you is raising children.
K. Clancy. You obviously have ZERO idea what bijou elementary is like. Yes, critical thinking and actual knowledge of the school would prevent me from enrolling a child there. How is that disgusting? Does your little brainiac child go there?
Teaching children to be bilingual is innovative? Lol. Wow you’re a tool.
Numerous studies have shown that children who grow up speaking and hearing two or more languages have significantly more connections activated in their brains.
I made a comment towards Librule that was inappropriate and offensive. I do not dislike him any less, though my memory of Latin and French are rusty and I crossed a line with my comment. While I enjoy the banter and the sometimes testy exchange of ideas and opinions, it was uncool, and I am responsible for my words and actions. Kae, thank you for your help.
To Librule and all who read it, I apologize.
Wow. That was an extremely uncalled for comment. Just shows the type of person you are. Good luck in your life. I can’t imagine to many people want too be around you. Vile. ^^^
I translated my rusty old Latin into French rather poorly(had i kept it in Latin it would’ve been fine)…when I was made aware of it, I apologized(something you’ve never done-when you get called on for being inappropriate or lying or making up facts you double down, which says a lot about the kind of person YOU are). I still think you are a pig.
hmmm-now you’re insulting pigs ;)
I apologize for ever engaging you. I will never again. It’s clear that you are a nasty, rude and pompous weirdo ( my latin.. a derp derp). It was my fault to ever think you could engage in an intelligent conversation. I’m pretty sure you are just Kit carsons second account anyway. Same level.
How unfortunate that an article about science, innovation and children has been tarnished by the vile bloggers on this site. Imagine Ruby Reading this and then seeing how the underside of life can tarnish anything even a good little article.
This was a cute story about kids learning science. Again, most of you are all too self-absorbed and make it about yourselves. You really need to get a life. Go fight among yourselves somewhere else instead of polluting LTN with your vitriol.
Kathryn Reed, LTN publisher