SCHOOL: Moncure Elementary

GRADE LEVEL: 1st and 2nd

PROGRAM: Astro Adventures & Solids vs. Liquids

INSTRUCTOR: Scientist Craig

DATE: Tuesday, October 29, 2013

TEACHER(S) NAME: Peele, Springle, and Teegarden

Scientist Craig’s Experience:

I had an AWESOME time starting my week off at Moncure Elementary School with the 1st and 2nd graders, learning about Matter and Space.

My day began with the 2nd graders in Ms. Peele and Ms. Springle’s room. The curious students had a few questions about how molecules get excited and expand when matter gets warm and how just the opposite happens when those molecules get cold. This lead to an experiment to see if this is true with all matter. We tested a special substance which behaves like ice, and found out that the opposite happens! As water gets colder is starts to become denser, but as soon as it freezes and expands to a size greater than it started. We concluded our program mixing various liquids and solids together to create a gas that caused a safe volcanic eruption! One eruption even landed on Tayshawn’s desk.

I concluded the day in Ms. Teegarden’s room conducting space experiments with the 1st graders. We learned a lot about our moon and planet, then participated in a few experiments to help us understand how the movements of the earth and moon result in day and night, and the moon phases. Finally, we got to head outside and launch water rockets on this beautiful day! This class (an myself) found it pretty funny when both of James’ rockets landed in the tree and decided to make a permanent home up there. Luckily, we had a few to spare!.

I’m looking forward to seeing those classes soon in a few months and hope everyone is ready for a lot more excitement!

Thanks Moncure Students!