Science Fun at Franklin TN Day Cares

Science begins with curiosity and wonder. Since preschoolers are curious by nature (and ask tons of questions), learning science skills is a perfect activity for them. The seven basic preschool science skills that we teach in our Franklin TN day cares are

  • Observing – using the five senses
  • Comparing – recognizing similarities and differences
  • Classifying – grouping by size, color, shape, etc.
  • Measuring – using measuring cups, rulers, scales, etc.
  • Communicating – talking, listening, and connecting ideas
  • Inferring – thinking about why something happens
  • Predicting – using observations to forecast an outcome

Science fun in Franklin TN Day Cares

Mad Scientist Week at Franklin TN Day Cares

In July during our Mad Scientist Week, our children got to use many of the seven basic science skills. And as a special treat, a “Mad Scientist” visited several of our locations to perform experiments with the children. They loved predicting what would happen and seeing what actually did happen. And, of course, they had lots of questions and observations.

The Academy Day Care Centers Serve Middle Tennessee

The Academy has locations in the greater Nashville and greater Murfreesboro areas in Middle Tennessee. And we have 5 preschools Franklin TN parents can choose from, conveniently and strategically located.

Science Fun at Home

If you’d liked to have some science fun at home, try this “recipe” for a lava lamp.

Materials:

  • 16 oz. plastic bottle
  • Vegetable oil
  • Alka-Seltzer tablets
  • Food coloring
  • Water

Instructions:

  1. Add 4 oz. of water.
  2. Add several drops of food coloring.
  3. Fill the rest of the bottle almost to the top with oil.
  4. Drop about 1/4 of an Alka-Seltzer table into the bottle.
  5. Continue to drop in more pieces of the tablet as needed.
  6. (Optional) Turn off the lights in the room and shine a flashlight under the bottle while it’s bubbling.

Observations:

  • Oil and water have different weights.
  • Oil is lighter, so it floats above the water.
  • Food coloring mixes with the water but not the oil – due to polarity (attraction).
  • The Alka-Seltzer tablet sinks to the bottom. It is heavier than the oil or the water.
  • The Alka-Seltzer releases carbon dioxide gas bubbles.
  • The chemical reaction takes place in the water but not the oil.
  • The bubbles rise to the top. They are lighter than the water or oil.
  • Drops of water that cling to the bubbles and rise to the top, fall back to the bottom when the bubbles burst.