Local children had the opportunity to learn through experiments while at the Estevan Public Library on Nov. 25 and 26.
The Regional KidsFirst program brought a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) session for pre-schoolers. Families booked a 30-minute session for their child or children.
It started with a story based on science from Madeleine Valentine, the early childhood community developer at Regional KidsFirst, and then there were three experiments.
“The activities were fairly reactive, so they leave quite an impression on the kids, so that they can see the science in action,” said Christine Batke, the library’s children and adult program co-ordinator.
“Children tend to be a little bit more visual learners, so it’s really good for them to get a visual on how the reaction’s happening.”
Approximately 20 kids went through the program over the two days.
The first station was a milk reaction, in which they added food colouring into milk, and then they dipped a Q-tip that’s been covered in dish soap. The milk reacts and moves away from the soap.
“It’s a really quick reaction, and kids get really excited about it, because it’s so visual and colourful,” said Batke.
The second involves baking soda and vinegar. The vinegar is placed in a bottle, and baking soda is in a balloon. The balloon is placed overtop of the bottle’s nozzle, and when the baking soda mixes with the vinegar, it reacts by blowing up the balloon. Kids get to take the balloon home.
“It’s a sanitary way to blow balloons up right now,” said Batke.
The final experiment is a well-known one for many, with Coca-Cola and Mentos, but this one was on a smaller scale so that the library didn’t have soda on the floor.
“They fill a little bottle with some soda pop, and then they put the Mentos in there so it reacts,” said Batke.
Valentine prompts the kids by asking questions to get them to explore and understand what’s happening.
“I think that’s the big key, is to understand,” said Batke.
Some of the kids had some really good questions, Batke said, and they seemed to enjoy the story and the experiments.
Regional KidsFirst is hosting similar programs in other southeast Saskatchewan communities, and Batke said they were lucky to have it at the library.
