To dissolve or not to dissolve? That is the question! Gadsden Elementary Magnet School students in Ms. Dilworth-Porter's 5th grade class are working on Big Idea 8 and 9 in Science. This unit covers matter and requires students to investigate and identify materials that will dissolve, or not, in water. Students experimented with conditions that could either speed up, or slow down, the dissolving process. Materials used included water, spoons, paper cups, flour, sugar, sand, coffee grounds, rice, and salt. Gadsden Elementary Magnet School students Quincy Ludlow (left) and Jaivion Nelson (right), both students in Dilworth-Porter’s science class, participate in the science experiment that focuses on dissolving materials in water. Several students were chosen to stir the materials in eight ounces of water for one minute. They identified that sugar, flour, and salt dissolved - whereas, the sand, coffee grounds, and rice did not. Dilworth-Porter stated the importance of students participating in hands-on activities due to the variety of ways students learn. "They will continue to engage in more activities as time and material permits," she added.
