Two weights, two measures

Two weights, two measures – static electricity

Type of resource:  Website

Web address http://www.lafucinadellescienze.it/wordpress/archives/6075

Language: Italian, English

Description

Find the fastest way to separate salt and pepper using static electricity.

Scientific concept introduced

Negative charge, positive charge, electrostatic energy, heat.

Creative and critical thinking

Critical thinking:
– Reasoning
– Analysis
– Explanation
– Observation

Creative thinking:
– Curiosity
– Imagination

Mathematical reasoning

Measuring

Scientific thinking

Asking questions
Investigating
Observing and forecasting
Analysing results
Recording

Learning how to learn

Follow the instructions of an experiment
Investigate how positive and negative charges interact
Observe and discuss how pepper and salt are divided through electrostatic energy

Additional

Hand-eye coordination
Motor skills
Writing
Reading
Oral language-
Following safety rules
Precise and efficient movement
Teamwork

Two weights, two measures – static electricity

Overall aims

to enable pupils to explore the concept of energy
to enable pupils to explore the concept of weight and mass
enable pupils to explore the concept of negative and positive charge
to enable pupils to explore the concept of heat
develop pupils’ ability to listen and follow instructions
develop pupils’ organisational skills
develop pupils’ communication skills
developing pupils’ skills in observation and prediction
developing pupils’ skills in recording

The three spheres of learning should be included, according to the taxonomy of
Bloom’s taxonomy:
cognitive
affective
psychomotor

Vocabulary – keywords should be understood

salt, pepper, spoon, wool, plastic, negative charge, positive charge, electrostatic energy, heat

Expected learning outcomes (operational aims)

The child/student will be able to:
● follow the instructions of an experiment investigate how positive and negative charges interact with each other
● observe and discuss how pepper and salt are separated by electrostatic energy The child will have developed the ability to make assumptions, observe

STEM skills – to which the learning unit is related to

CORE STEM SKILLS

Asking questions
Investigating
Observing and making predictions
Analysing the results of an experiment
Counting
Recording
Building self-confidence, feelings of self-efficacy in learning
Motivation to learn and engage

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Hand-eye coordination
Motor skills
Writing
Reading
Oral language
Following safety rules
Precise and efficient movement
Group work

Teaching methodologies/activity outline

1. We have the pupils, divided into groups of four, measure out one teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of pepper and then ask them to mix the two ingredients together.

2. We ask the pupils: “How can we separate salt from pepper? Can you think of a way to separate
Can you think of a way to separate them using just a spoon? ”

3. We give instructions on how to proceed in the experiment:
We rub the plastic spoon on a piece of woollen cloth.
We point out that by rubbing the spoon, they are giving a negative charge to the plastic spoon. Something that is negatively charged will attract positive particles into different objects.

4. Hold the spoon about an inch above the pile of salt and pepper. Both salt and pepper will be attracted to the spoon, but pepper is lighter, so if they hold the spoon in the right place, the pepper should jump up and cling to the spoon.

Conclusion: Ask the pupils in small groups to recall the various steps of the experiment. We ask each group to record what happened on paper step by step with the help of drawings,

Assessment of learning

Pupil observation sheet.

Equipment and materials to be used in learning unit (tools, ingredients etc)

salt, pepper, plastic spoon, cloth or woollen clothing

Kind of setting

workshop

References – source

La Fisica i cucina: tre esperimenti per tutti

Two weights, two measures – static electricity

1. Usefulness for STEM education – integrating content of different disciplines

Cross-curricular character of the resource 

The range of S-T-E-M subjects included 

The presentation of possibilities of including artistic activities (STEAM approach)

2. Expected learning outcomes

Consistency (links) with preschool core curriculum

Communicativeness of description

3. Methodology of teaching

Clarity, communicativeness of instructions for teachers

Meaningful learning – using practical life problems

Original idea

The level of ease in implementing the methodology to preschool age children

The level of ease in preparing necessary ingredients, materials and equipment needed

4. Sustainability

Ecological characteristics of materials/ results

Supporting healthy eating habits 

Low ecological footprint

Possibilities of inclusion (respecting cultural diversity and food intolerances)

5. Class management

Using differentiated forms of work – individual, team work etc.

6. Time management