the one with the potatoes

During class today we discussed the 5E model [engage. explain, explore, elaborate, and evaluate]. Then, after reading a packet about using the 5E model in the classroom, we were given the assignment to create our own experiment with the materials provided for us.

Activity: Designer Potatoes
Purpose: To get us thinking outside the box; to have us come up with unique experiments that incorporate the 5E model.
Materials:

• 3 bits of potato
• 3 plastic cups
• measuring spoons
• water
• salt
• stirring sticks
• paper [for students to evaluate and explain their findings]

The activity was confusing to my group at first [most of us have ADD and we weren't really sure what we were supposed to do because we may or may not have been paying attention], but once I reread what was going on, I pointed it out to my group and we had a fine time designing an experiment.

Our experiment:

• Cup 1: no water, no salt, potato bit.
• Cup 2: 5 cm water, 5mL salt, potato bit.
• Cup 3: 50mL water, 25mL salt, potato bit.

After messing around and putting way too much salt in cup 3 [there was about a centimeter of pure salt at the bottom of the cup], we noticed that the potato that had no contact with the salt or the water was turning brown and that the potato in cup 2 had turned nice and white. This was interesting, so we watched the potato in cup 3 and sure enough it was white after sitting in the salt for a while! Very interesting.

My own personal prediction about the experiment was that we were making mashed potatoes or just soaking the potatoes for Dr. E so she would have a delicious lunch later...

blog you later,

[andrea]