V-Labs with Students-2-Science

Our students participated in four Students-2-Science V-lab experiments this school year so far. The labs were Is it alive?, Erosion digs it, Flowers and bees, and What goes up must come down. Due to Covid these labs are led virtually by one of the Students-2-Science instructors and the students follow along on zoom and participate using the public chat feature. Students who are attending school in person are provided the supplies so they can complete the experiment with the instructor. 

For the Is it alive? lab students extracted DNA from a mystery substance (strawberries) and were able to see DNA with their own eyes. They learned about the structure of DNA and what characteristics living things share. 

For the Erosion digs it lab students observed how top soil is affected by erosion when there is and isn’t plants and how erosion affects things like trees and grass. They were able to see how certain factors can speed up or slow down erosion. This lab was done only for the virtual students while the in person students did the Flowers and bees lab. Students participated both by unmuting and speaking as well as using the public chat on zoom. 

In the Flowers and bees lab students learned about ecology, ecosystems and food chains. They learned about the ecosystem of the honeybee and investigated what is the best soil condition for the growth of wildflowers (the honeybee’s food source). They were given a planting tray divided into 4 squares. In each square they planted wildflowers in different soil conditions. One tray was pure soil, 2 trays were a mixture of soil and clay in different ratios, and the last square was all clay. Students were able to take home their tray and observe the growth of their flowers. 

In the What goes up must come down lab students investigated the force of gravity by carrying out speed sinking races using beans of different size and shape. The beans were dropped into containers of water and students were able to investigate the effects of resistance on the speed of sinking. 

Overall, the students have really enjoyed these experiments. Both in person and at home students actively participated by unmuting themselves and answering questions, making predictions  and observations. They also participated by chatting in the public zoom chat. Students were engaged and asked questions due to their piqued interest and those in person really enjoyed being able to perform a hands-on experiment. We look forward to continuing to provide our students with these types of activities.

Ms. Grau

Science Teacher