Everything is made of stuff called elements. Different combinations make different things. When you mix certain elements and groups of elements together, sometimes they react and fizz, bubble, or explode. Kids are exploring what nearly everything is made of, namely elements, and why certain combinations of elements (molecules) are more reactive than others. A chemical reaction is anytime you mix two things, and you get something new. Students learned that they are irreversible, and typically can be seen via a color change, temperature change, fizzing, or a state change.
On this day, we led our students to deepen their understand that everything is made of smaller things, called elements, and investigated:
how the entire universe has an ingredient list called the “periodic table of elements” that is organized and helps us understand how things behave when you mix them
how some elements are metals and exist as solids, and others are non-metals and may exist as solids, liquids, or gases
what happens when two things mix and things stay the same ( physical reaction) v. something new is created (chemical reaction)
why ratios matter, and how acid and bases can be used to create innovative tools
In camp kids are making their own customized chemistry kits, with the elements of fun. We love providing our community with useful resources for kids to learn more at home, so show your kids this fun video to build confidence with Chemical Reactions: