A Science Lesson to Remember

Since it opened in 2022, the Science Room at Arise School has brought a whole new world of practical experience and hands-on learning to pupils. In particular, it enables them to witness science in action firsthand. An excellent example of this was the recent participation of Grade 6 in a number of practical experiments to explore the concepts of osmosis and diffusion.

In anticipation, students gathered around several tables filled with materials from fresh potatoes to fragrant perfumes, ripe avocados to detergent soaps and vibrantly coloured powdered juices. They placed potato slices in different solutions to demonstrate how they absorbed water and changed in texture, and watched avocados brighten in colour following exposure to various juices. The perfumes and soaps added an aromatic layer to the learning experience and created fascinating reactions that sparked their curiosity.

This hands-on approach both deepened students’ understanding of scientific principles and ignited their passion for learning. Eagerly, they asked questions and collaborated with one another to draw conclusions. Combined with their teacher’s infectious enthusiasm for his subject, their active engagement made the lesson come alive in a way that is not possible in more traditional classroom learning. Complex topics became more accessible and enjoyable.

As two of the students expressed it:

“The practical science session was so exciting! It really gave us an opportunity to practice what we’ve been learning in class and see science in action. It made everything much clearer, and I really enjoyed getting to experiment and discover things for myself.”

“We really enjoyed the science class! Our teacher really helped us grasp the concepts that we were learning. He made learning easy and enjoyable by explaining things clearly and making sure we understood everything before moving on.”

Students left the lesson with both a better grasp of osmosis and diffusion and a renewed eagerness for more practical lessons in the future. Not least, it left a lasting and memorable impression on everyone involved, true testament to the power of experiential learning.