Author: Anja Buntrock
Origin: FINLAND
Implemented in: Czech Republic, Poland and Belgium (French Community)
This GP’s objective is to teach students through a motivating and hands-on approach the concept of density and its measurement by using the volumetric difference method to distinguish between elements and alloys. In the introductory lesson the teacher performs an experiment while the students are asked to “write down the different steps and materials used in the experiment in order to train their ability to observe and write protocols.” Only after a session of reflection and discussion are the students asked to perform the experiment.
Success stories
The teachers said that the students as well as they themselves enjoyed this GP very much. It was interesting for the students to see how coins could be turned into golden ones. A Polish teacher mentioned that one of her students even said “You’ve performed a miracle”, but that through this GP students could see very well how chemical substances work and react. The greatest success of this GP is, as all the implementers said, that “The children could show the result to their friends and their parents” by taking the golden coins home. Students generally enjoy doing experiments where they produce something themselves that is either functional, that they can take home to demonstrate to their families and friends, or that they can even repeat at home.
