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UD Lab Preschoolers ‘go bananas’ in science class
2:47 p.m., Feb. 13, 2007--For 40 minutes, University of Delaware chemical engineer Jochen Lauterbach may have been more popular than Elmo, Mickey Mouse or the next American Idol all rolled into one. Fifteen kindergartners at the Laboratory Preschool on the Newark campus hung on every word as the professor unscrewed a container, and smoke began swirling above it. “Oh, wow--this is neat!” one student shouted in awe, as high-pitched giggles erupted in waves in the classroom. Even “Nibbles,” the students' pet rabbit, seemed impressed. “This is liquid nitrogen,” Lauterbach said. “I use it in my laboratory all the time. It looks like water, but it is very dangerous because it is much colder than water. It is much colder than ice. That's why we have to be very careful with it, and we must wear these safety glasses when we work with it.” Each student wore a pair of safety glasses and learned some simple rules about laboratory safety before the science demonstration began. “So what do you think will happen if we put something in there?” Lauterbach said, pointing to the container holding the liquid. “It will get cold,” Rebecca said. “It will freeze!” Bryce exclaimed. Using special gloves, Lauterbach then dropped a banana into the solution. “And now we are going to boil a banana,” he said matter-of-factly. “Boiling” is a term that many of us associate only with high temperatures, but as Lauterbach explained to the students, boiling refers to the temperature at which any liquid turns into a gas, whether it is extremely hot or, in this instance, extremely cold. “They're so into science,” Katie Pollock, who teaches the kindergarten class, said of her students. “Today's presentation is a great way for them to learn about temperature and the different states of matter.”
Every teacher at the facility holds a master's degree and also is on the teaching faculty of the Department of Individual and Family Studies in UD's College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy. Pollock earned her undergraduate degree from UD and has been a teacher at the Laboratory Preschool for nearly two years. “Much of what we do is 'hands-on' so that the children can actively explore ideas and concepts,” Pollock noted. UD's Laboratory Preschool was established in 1934 as one of the first early childhood programs of its kind in the nation. It has served thousands of children and families from the greater Newark community, as well as UD students and faculty, according to its director, Peg Bradley. “A big part of our mission is to make children into curious, independent learners,” Bradley said. “We're fortunate to be able to draw on experts in a variety of disciplines right here from the University community for our lessons and programs.” Lauterbach's daughter, Julia, is a kindergarten student at the preschool. The preschool, which is nationally accredited, provides an observation, practicum and research site for UD undergraduates, graduate students and faculty. It also actively participates in research in the field of early childhood education in collaboration with local, state, national and international initiatives. Currently, Suzanne Burton, a researcher in the UD music department, is studying how children develop music literacy, Bradley said. The Laboratory Preschool also is piloting materials for a healthy eating and physical activity curriculum, which is being developed by Penny Deiner, chairperson of the individual and family studies department, through a grant from the Nemours Foundation. The research team for the study also includes Michelle Provost-Craig, Nancy Getchell and Dena Deglau from the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences.
After the banana finished “boiling” in its liquid nitrogen bath, Lauterbach began removing it with tongs, but it slipped and shattered into pieces on the floor. However, a second banana came out perfectly, and Lauterbach placed it on the table, with a clatter. “Now I'm going to use it as a hammer--a banana hammer,” Lauterbach said, and the students shouted with glee as he used it to pound a nail into a piece of wood. For the grand finale, Lauterbach got out a bowl and began mixing together milk, cream, vanilla and chocolate syrup. The students got in line to each take a turn at either adding more milk or stirring the concoction. Then, with everyone back in their places, Lauterbach added liquid nitrogen to the mixture, and it began to freeze. When asked if he would like to be a scientist some day, Tehoni nodded his head. “Yes,” he said, smiling shyly. What did he like best about Lauterbach's presentation? “The ice cream!” he said, with a grin. For more information about UD's Laboratory Preschool, visit [www.udel.edu/chep/labschool]. Article by Tracey Bryant |
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