As part of the Science Festival, 8th-grade students led workshops in physics and chemistry, life and earth sciences, and technology for students in CE2, CM1, and CM2. This cross-grade-level project allowed the younger students to conduct experiments while giving the middle schoolers the opportunity to share their knowledge.
Observe, Test, and Understand
In small groups, the elementary students rotated from one workshop to another to explore the three subjects. Each session, lasting about fifteen minutes, gave them time to conduct hands-on activities, ask questions, and interact with the 4th-grade students.
In physics and chemistry, the experiments focused on discovering invisible light, colors, and refraction. In life and earth sciences, students explored digestion, observed salt crystals, and discussed sustainable food systems. In technology, the focus was on building, coding, and programming robots!
This year’s national theme, “Savory Science,” was also incorporated into several workshops centered on food and its properties.
Learning by Teaching
For the 8th graders, the challenge was to make the experiments accessible to the younger students: explaining things simply, guiding them through the activities, and answering questions. They demonstrated remarkable teaching skills and dedication in this role.
The elementary school students loved exploring these experiments alongside their older peers. This gathering was also a wonderful opportunity to build connections between the grade levels, centered around the joy of learning and sharing.
Check out some highlights from the workshops in our video and photos!
