Contributed by: Lara Blom, JK-2nd Grade Science Teacher
“Before children can conceptualize the flow of electrons with electricity, they need the concrete experience of how water flows” stated Christa Flores, 5th Grade Science Teacher and MakerSpace Coordinator, to me several years ago and the seed was planted.
A fellowship last summer between Kindergarten teacher, David Robinson, and myself was the fertile ground in which the initial idea bloomed as we looked for a theme around which to integrate science with homeroom. We wanted a hands-on discovery space installed into their foundational classroom space where students could observe the flow of particles such as grains and beans and we sought an opportunity for it to change over time. After much deliberation, we came up with an indoor Flow Table – a sensory tub with huge vertical cardboard tubes that stood at each corner in which holes could be drilled as children explored and hypothesized the how’s and why’s of the ways in which materials move through spaces.
The Flow Table opens up opportunities for sensory exploration, problem-solving, and an introduction to a variety of manipulatives including ropes, pulleys and tubes. Throughout this past fall, we explored all of these options in addition to air flow, visualized with scarves, seeds blowing on the wind, balloons, and bubbles. We are now exploring water (phase change, properties, and flow) which will be enhanced by our new playground’s water feature and a Sploosh table currently under construction by our wonderful maintenance team.