Last Thursday saw the last STEM Club session of the term and the last session for year 3 and 4. Following a recent visit from chemist, Mr Carey, who showed some classes haw to test the ph value of acids and alkalis, we investigated the mixing of an alkali with an acid to see what would happen. We used every day household products which were vinegar (acid) and bicarbonate of soda (alkali). The groups had to work out the best combinations of liquids to create a chemical reaction that resulted in lots of fizzing and foaming. A further investigation was to secure a rubber glove to the top of their bottle that had the bicarbonate of soda in it. They tipped the glove upright to transfer the bicarbonate of soda into the bottle containing vinegar below. They discovered that mixing the two chemicals produced a gas which inflated the rubber glove! The children loved this investigation and it was great to end the term with an investigative science experiment.
