Using the Scientific Method to Learn About Friendship

In some of the older grades I use science as a way to teach social skills and character. The kids love it because it is fun and hands on and the teachers love it because I am reinforcing their core academic areas.

Third, fourth, and fifth graders learned about friendship through a science experiment. In this lesson we reviewed watched The Scientific Method Rap before starting the lesson.

Pepper Experiment:
Question: What will happen to pepper floating in water when soap is added to the water?
Hypothesis: _______________ might happen when soap is added to the water.
Materials: cup of water, toothpick with soap, pepper
Procedure: 1) put water in cup 2) add pepper (friends and classmates) 3) put soap (mean words) on toothpick (another classmate) 4) dip soapy toothpick in peppered water 5) Record what happens
Results: The pepper moved away quickly from the soap.
Conclusion: My hypothesis was/was not supported by my results.

Here is a video that shows the complete experiment and explains a little about the science behind surface tension: Pepper & Water Science Trick

Friendship Connection: What happens when you say mean things around your classmates? Is there something that could change the result? How can you use this in your life today?