Kindergarten Bubbleologists

As part of the SAGE program at Woodside School the kindergarten students took the role of scientists as they experimented with bubbles. Bubbles are fascinating to work with and provide a wealth of learning opportunities. To begin the activity, the students had to bring in an item from home that had holes in it. The “scientists” then had to carefully observe their tools and make predictions. Each child first told what they had brought and what it is generally used for. Then they looked at their implement to decide what shape the holes were. Students told Mrs. Wolf and their classmates their predictions about the size and shape of the bubbles, as well as the quantity they would get when they dipped their “holy” tools into the bubble solution. These kindergarten scientists also had to decide what method they thought would make the best bubbles - blowing or waving the tool. After watching one student, a fellow scientist said that the student should try waving the implement more slowly. This is truly problem solving and critical thinking at its best. Now students had another technique to evaluate. After everyone had a turn at this we went one step further. Students created their own bubble wands - any shape or size, one opening or more than one. Now it was time to evaluate this newly invented wand. Once outside the students tried different techniques, blowing hard or softly, waving fast or slowly. Besides the educational value of the experience, there was the thrilled look on the faces of the students as they created big bubbles, “snakes”, or watched their bubble float into the sky.