The English Program recently organized an exciting Chemistry STEM Activity for 20 students in the Elective Subject “SMART” course at the Secondary 2 (Grade 8) level. The activity was led by Associate Professor Dr. Wannapong Triampote, from the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, who shared his expertise and guided students through a series of engaging scientific investigations.
The activity aimed to enhance students’ scientific knowledge, critical thinking, and practical laboratory skills through three hands-on experiments.
Activity 1: Testing pH Values of Everyday Substances
Students investigated the acidity of two common substances: vinegar and bathroom cleaning solution, using a pH indicator. Through observation and analysis, they learned how scientists classify substances based on their pH levels and chemical properties.
Activity 2: Determining the Density of an Egg
Students explored the concept of density by placing an egg in 300 mL of water and gradually adding measured amounts of salt until the egg floated at the water’s surface. By comparing the mass of salt added with the volume of water, students calculated the density of the egg and gained a deeper understanding of buoyancy and density.
Activity 3: “Patriotic Solutions” Creating Colorful Density Flags
In this creative experiment, students mixed water and syrup at different concentrations to create solutions with varying densities. Since denser solutions settle at the bottom, students carefully layered colored solutions to form beautiful flag-like patterns. Each group produced unique designs by using different food coloring combinations while learning about density and solution concentration.
Throughout the workshop, students actively participated in scientific inquiry, collaborated with their peers, and developed essential STEM skills through observation, experimentation, data collection, and problem-solving.
The English Program would like to express its sincere appreciation to Associate Professor Dr. Wannapong Triampote from the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, for providing this valuable learning experience and inspiring our students to explore the fascinating world of science.