The Stars know a lot about changes. Braelinn Elementary 5th graders took part in a lab where they learned to determine the difference between chemical and physical changes.

Students played a “Minute to Win It” game where they paired up and had to choose a method to separate mixtures based on a physical property (size, magnetism, etc). The teams worked their way through different stations like a rusty tool, toast, AlkaSeltzer in water, ice melting, and tearing a marshmallow where they used several granular substances (salt, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch) and they observed the reactions with water and vinegar. They then determined if they had created a chemical or physical change.

“They love everything that is hands-on,” said teacher Mary Bohdan. “I want them to have fun while learning, as elementary is still the time to get students to love school, but I also want them to realize that the science topics they are learning about are around them all day every day.”

— Provided by the Fayette County School System.