Science in the Kitchen

Family workshops in the nursery environment are a model which we find works so well at Rachel Keeling. By Spring Term all our children are settled, more confident in their environment and have developed strong relationships with friends and adults at school. It is then that we run some of our workshops with families learning alongside their children and staff. This morning Lize ran her first Science in the Kitchen workshop. It was attended by many families, children (with and without their carers) and visiting Governors as well!
The aim was to support families in engaging in scientific conversations, using scientific language and finding science using everyday, household items. Children and families excitedly gathered and Lize unveiled the range of apparatus (all everyday), components (also everyday) and method (very simple). They pondered and predicted what they thought might happen, closely observed and talked about what did (or didn't) happen and hypothesised why they thought they had the results they did.
They completed three experiements: Rainbow Density Kitchen Chemistry, Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano Experiment and Egg in a Bottle Demonstration (the hard boiled egg gets sucked into a bottle through a narrow opening!
Children sustained for the entire session and got involved in the experiments. Families left with leaflets, detailing the experiments they had been involved in and had the opportunity to share any further ideas they had to support children in exploring and developing their knowledge of scientific concepts. One parent said as she left "It was amazing, so exciting. We will try doing it at home for sure."