In Allison Rodden-Lee’s ’00 eighth grade science class, students took part in a Mystery Mixture Substance Investigation. Rodden-Lee, who also serves as Middle School Science Department Head, guided the lab, which emphasized observation, safety and collaboration.
After putting on protective goggles, students measured a 5 ml spoonful of the unknown white powder into a dry 250 ml beaker. They recorded careful observations without touching or tasting it.
Next came the test – using pipettes, students added water, swirling the beaker and describing the results. The mixture immediately began to bubble and fizz. They also compared the temperature of the glass before and after, noting the sudden cold. Each lab group added more water until no further changes appeared.
The investigation wrapped up with group discussions, where students compared notes and raised questions about what they had observed. The activity supported Punahou’s learning outcomes by fostering critical thinking and collaboration, as students analyzed results, built explanations and worked together to communicate their findings.
Photos by Kathleen Connelly