In the bottled cloud lab students learned how clouds are formed, and were able to create a foggy cloud in a bottle by using water, smoke, and pressure. Students compared the materials in the experiment to cloud formation in our sky. For this lesson, I asked students to take part in an after school lab activity. It was great to have students who were motivated to learn science beyond their school day. This showed a lot of dedication on their part. They worked in pairs for the experiment and joined in groups of four to discuss analysis questions. Their collaboration was fun to observe.
Teaching outside of the normal school day provided me with a more relaxed perspective. I was able to connect with my students in a more in-depth way. I also noticed some areas of deficiency in their understanding of the scientific method. The lab sheets students completed (pictured below) allowed me to see where I can guide my students in communicating more detailed writing. On a positive note, students were understanding the concepts of the lab well and connecting the lab with the real world concepts. One website I am requiring students to visit as a follow-up to this lab is http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/osd/portal.shtml Students will track the atmospheric pressure, sky conditions, and make personal observations for one week. After recording this information, students will be asked to make a connection between pressure in our atmosphere and our weather.
This lab gave me an opportunity to practice structured inquiry, and encouraged me to let my students direct portions of their learning experience. I am looking forward to creating more inquiry labs in the future.
