After a lot of researching and trying out different methods, I decided to completely scrap my Invisible Ink Potion idea. Unfortunately there was just no good way to carry it out without some form of heat. As using heat would be rather unfeasible in a classroom, I decided to look for something else instead.
To replace that activity, I found a really interesting experiment that played with liquid densities and introduced it in a really fun way. It was fun, safe, can be completed with easy to get and cheap materials, and also looks a little magic, so it ticked all the boxes for me! Here’s a quick video I made of the experiment in action! You can really see the layers that the liquids put themselves into.
Last post I mentioned I was going to host a Wizards Activity Evening with my friends, and that happened on Saturday the 6th of March! (Recording Here.) I invited my friend group and their partners if the lived with them, and on Sunday I also roped in my mum, dad and sister to try out the activities. As all of my friends are currently on the same degree program that I am, having their partners and my family involved allowed me to get viewpoints from people with different levels of experience with science and physics.
I dashed around Edinburgh on Friday to deliver everyone their costumes and any ingredients they didn’t already have in their cupboards, as well as a small thank you for taking part.
As part of the activities, I had everyone fill in three surveys for evaluation purposes. I had two identical surveys to gain their view on science and knowledge about certain aspects (which would be integral to the activities), and had them complete it before the activities and then again immediately afterwards.
Myself, performing a spell on the liquids (Left)© Photo by Jennifer Struthers, Youssef trying out some slime (Top Right) © Photo by Jeevni Nathoo, Hannah showing off her Magic Liquids density Potion (Bottom Right) © Photo by Hannah Shuttleworth. All photos used with permission from copyright owners.
As I had hoped, every single one of the questions gained a more positive response after the activities. Everyone who had taken part had a more positive view of science and how it related to themselves, and felt more confident in their knowledge of certain areas of science. The third survey was slightly more detailed, and I asked for specific feedback on each activity including how engaging it was, and how age-appropriate it was. On a general note, the favourite activity as voted by over half the respondents was the Explosion Potion, and the least favourite activity was the Code Breaking activity.
After reviewing the feedback I’ve decided to make some minor edits to my activities, these include:
- Making a Beginners and Advanced worksheet for my Latin Spells activity.
- Removing the food colouring from the Slimy Potion activity.
- Reviewing the quantities of the Slimy Potion activity.
- Emphasizing that a small but vertical glass would work best in my Magic Liquids activity.
- Giving a few more hints on my Code Breaking worksheet.
- Instructing the swap codes with a partner instead of discussing as a group on my Code Breaking worksheet.
I’m currently working on a “Teacher’s Guide” to my activities, as well as a Risk Assessment. The Teacher’s Guide will include any hints or tips, such as specific types of containers that will work better than others, and the full set of answers to all of the activities. After a suggestion from my supervisor Kay I also want to complete a Risk Assessment of the activities, to make any risks or hazards really clear and how to avoid any accidents in the classroom.
I am also working on modifying my 4 Lesson Plan that accompanies my worksheets. The 4 Lesson Plan is for a teacher who would rather have a series of lessons on each activity and work more as a class, instead of in small groups rotating around each activity in one afternoon.
I do sense that I am coming to the end of my project, with only tidying up certain things as I go along. My timetabled exams start on the 30th of April and I do not wish to be working on my project up until our 22nd April deadline!
See you next time,
Jen
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