ALASKA ACADEMY: WHAT'S SO FUN ABOUT LEARNING, ALASKIDS?

Some lessons pass by gently, but others end while the joy lingers on…

The STEM lesson on the “Volcano Eruption” experiment for Grade 3 Alaskids was just one of those memorable moments!

While real-life volcanoes are massive and intimidating, the teachers at Alaska cleverly brought a “volcano” right onto the desks in the LAB room — to the absolute amazement of our Alaskids.

Equipped with baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, dish soap, glass jars, and plastic cups prepared by their teachers, the Alaskids eagerly took turns assigning tasks: one measured the baking soda into the glass jar, another dropped in the food coloring, and another added a splash of dish soap…

And then, holding their breath, they huddled together and poured in the vinegar.

Surprise! Instantly, a bright red stream of bubbly foam surged out of the jar’s opening and spilled into the tray!

The whole LAB room erupted in excitement. Pure surprise and joy lit up every innocent face. Watching the bubbling “lava” flow, the Alaskids animatedly discussed and explained why vinegar reacting with baking soda creates such a foamy eruption.

It turns out science isn’t far-reaching or complicated at all. At Alaska, there is always a way for teachers to help Alaskids experience fascinating natural phenomena firsthand. Experiential learning is truly the shortest path to nurturing a lifelong love for science from an early age.

It was a lesson filled with laughter, and those bright smiles have been captured below