Never too young for science

What do elephants use to brush their teeth?

As part of National Science Week, Blackfriars ELC students this week joined Melanie Golding’s Year 11 Chemistry class to discover just that – and much, much more.

The students learnt about static electricity, with the help of a Van De Graaff generator and a special wand. They were also shown some coloured Bunsen burner flames and learnt how they related to fireworks.

Then there was the “Elephants’ Toothpaste” – a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, food colouring and dishwashing liquid that produces spectacular, volcanic-like results.

The ELC students also worked with the Year 11 boys to create colourful chromatography butterflies, which the younger students took home as a memory of their day.

Jacqui Ballestrin, from the ELC, said having an Early Learning Centre as part of the wider Blackfriars school campus gave the young students so many learning opportunities.

“It’s great for our students to be able to be part of something like National Science Week in an environment like this,” Mrs Ballestrin said.

“The children have really enjoyed themselves; it’s great for them to be able to work with the older students.”

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology.

To learn more about Blackfriars ELC, visit elc.blackfriars.sa.edu.au