Taylor Laboratory 2019

2019 marks the first year of “Taylor Laboratory – Summer Science Camp”. We hosted 12 students ranging from 5^th-8^th grade for 5 mornings, each with a different theme. This year, we chose the themes of polymers, electricity and magnets, pH, light and color, and forensics. The activities came from a research project from summer 2018 (found here or under the "Educational Resources" tab of this blog), labs from some of the introductory chemistry classes, and outside sources.

Students watching for instruction

One of the highlights of the week included an unknown spill activity. Students had 10 household solutions like ammonia, lemon juice, and shampoo. They found the pH through pH paper, universal indicator, and red cabbage juice. The students were delighted to add indicators and make solutions change color! To add an air of mystery, there was also an unknown spill in the lab they had to identify.

A group carefully pipetting solutions during the unknown spill activity

We also went out with a bang, quite literally. To end the week, we allowed students to experiment with film canisters, alka seltzer, and paint for a colorful and dramatic finish. Parents were invited to watch from the sidelines as students set up rockets in the parking lot, ran, and waited for the “pop!” We ended up with an over 10 foot rainbow splattered banner now hanging proudly from the spiral staircase.

A photo of the finished banner (with small bits of my feet during the panorama)

The goal for the rest of the summer is to first finish cleaning up the labs in preparation for the school year. Once all the equipment has been put away, it's time to start creating a curriculum for next year!

Bonus photos:

The students all holding up pictures of themselves, created with software similar to police sketch artists

A student tests her goldenrod paper

This camp was funded by the American Chemical Society Community Interaction Grant and the Taylor Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.