Secret Formulas  October 1 - 25, 2012
Mixing, measuring, comparing, and understanding physical and chemical changes were the main activities in this unit.  Students  learned to use the tools and process of science as they figured out possible proportions of ingredients for making substances such as paste and a cola-type drink.  They learned to write simple formulas and made their own secret formula for each substance.

First, the children learned to use many measuring tools of science.  They used triple beam balances to weigh things, graduated cylinders to find liquid volume, metric rulers for length, and thermometers for temperatures.

Working in groups, students then explored the properties of some ingredients that paste and cola drinks are made of.  From there, groups were able to determine which ingredients worked best to make a great all-purpose paste and a tasty cola drink.  Everything required careful measuring and observing, as well as good recording of results.  Getting the proportions just right required fine tuning.

Everyone then shared their secret formulas with the class and explained why they chose their specific formulas. They even created fun advertisements for their cola drinks.