Potato Fun by Abigail H.
In first grade we are reading about a mouse named Abel that is stranded on a deserted island. We brainstormed some of the things we must have to stay alive. We then prioritized which was the most important to the least important. All of the first graders were able to agree that water was the most imperative. In talking about that the kids thought that it would be easy to find water, because everyone knows islands are surrounded by water. :) This led to the question, “Is all water good for us?” Some kids thought yes, some knew that salt water wasn’t good for us, but weren’t sure why. We did an experiment and added potato slices to fresh and salt water. We checked the potatoes 30 minutes later and noticed some big differences between the two. This led to an introduction to osmosis and what salt water can do to the cells in our body. It was a great discussion. Check out what our Student Blogger has to say:
Today we tested potatoes in salt water and clear water. In clear water the potato was straight. In the salt water it was floppy. We learned the word osmosis and the word hypothesis. Hypothesis means something you guess.
By Abigail H.
Enjoy some of the conclusions the first graders made with their first experience with osmosis:
Isabelle:
“Where it is salty the fry gets lumpy. Where it is fresh the fry gets strong.”
Evan:
“When it is in salt water it is floppy. When it is in fresh water is cracks.”
Dasom:
“The salt water potato can bend without breaking. The other one snaps when it bends.”
Filed under: 1st Grade | Tagged: 1st Grade, Science, Student Blogger
Good job Abby! That sounds like an excellent experiment. Do you think other vegetables would do the same thing? Keep up the great work
Those are hard words to say! That is so awesome that you are learning about “Osmosis”.
I am glad you were able to do an awesome science experiment. We can do a cool diffusion experiment with eggs over spring break. We will send pictures.