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Spring Issue 2008
NCAC SOT Sponsors Girl Scout Science Day
Submitted by Maureen Gwinn, NCAC Chapter
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Which Gene do I Have? |
The National Capital Area Regional Chapter (NCAC) of SOT sponsored the 2nd Annual Girl Scout Nation's Capital Science Day this past January, organized by the Girl Scouts Council Nation's Capital Service Unit. This event introduces scientific terms and ideas to Brownies (grades 1–3), Juniors (grades 4–6), and Seniors (grades 10–12) with hands-on experimental protocols. Experimental protocols are designed to be performed by a group of 10–12 girls in 30 minutes and are led by Senior Girl Scouts with the assistance of volunteers, including troop "moms" and "dads" and area scientists. All participating Girl Scouts rotate through 4 to 6 experiments depending on their age group and the theme their troop has selected. This year Brownies earned either a Chemistry Try-It or a Science in Action Try-It while the Juniors earned a Science Sleuth badge. The Senior troop that leads the experiments volunteer for this event as one of their main fundraisers for the year.
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Make Your Own DNA. |
All experiments were adapted from a variety of resources, including Great Explorations in Math and Science, Northwest Association for Biomedical Research, the American Chemical Society, Strive to Thrive!, and You Be The Chemist!. Further assistance with supplies and volunteers came from local supporters including MD Biolab (Rockville, MD) and University of Baltimore Biotechnology Institute (Baltimore, MD).
Brownies earning the Science in Action Try-It were exposed to different phases of matter (Weird Glop); the idea of germs and how they spread (Germ Spread/Making Soap); what is carbon dioxide (Balloon Blow-Up/Dancing Raisins) as well as why some things dissolve and others do not (Dissolving). For the Chemistry Try-It, Brownies learned about polymers (Meg A. Mole Bouncing Ball), oxidation, and toxicology (Lemons, Onions and Fruit, Oh My!), chromatography (Chromatography), and how chemistry helps to make ice cream (Making Ice Cream).
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Sletzer Reactions! |
The afternoon session with the Junior Girl Scouts focused on where DNA comes from (Make Your Own DNA), and how genetics can determine different traits (Which Gene Do I Have?). Juniors learned how different materials added to a mixture can have a different chemical effect (Baggie Science). Juniors also learned about polymers and emulsions (Making Lotion), as well as density (Density) and how temperature can affect the rate of a reaction (Seltzer Reactions). Throughout all the experiments, Girl Scouts were encouraged to think scientifically about what reactions are occurring and why, and to write their hypothesis and results in the supplied lab notebooks. All experiments had questions at the end for the students to answer before leaving the “bench.” Students were encouraged to work together and discuss as a group the results of each experiment.
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Density Experiment. |
Based on the evaluation responses SOT received, Science Day was a great success. The Brownies and Juniors learned a variety of scientific facts in a hands-on fun way. The Girl Scouts were able to take copies of experimental protocols home to share with their family. These lab notebooks not only included the experimental set-ups, but also the Instructor's Notes to help explain the protocols to their families. In some cases, the Girl Scouts were also able to bring home the results of their experiments, including DNA necklaces, vials of lotion that they made, and personalized weird glop. Many of these experiments would not have been possible without the financial support of the NCAC SOT Regional Chapter, and through SOT. The hope is to continue this collaborative relationship for future Science Days, which will allow us to introduce even more aspects of science to the Girl Scouts in our area.
Experimental protocols are available upon request by contacting SOT Headquarters.
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