AIU Science LAB

On Wednesday, July 31, Professor Andy Crofts held an AIU Science LAB, where children from CHERISH SCHOOL, participated and conducted various experiments supported by AIU students.

The AIU Science LAB program is an interactive science activity for elementary school students intended to deepen their understanding of how science works and how it can explain the world around us. Students perform activities while speaking in English and interacting with Professor Crofts who supports AIU undergraduate and international students in the AIU laboratory.

This year, the program included four major activities designed under the theme “Heat and Matter” using liquid nitrogen and dry ice.

Students explored changes in these substances by applying heat or cooling, thus gaining insights into the effects of temperature on materials. In the experiment using balloons, the children observed how the balloons shrink when placed in liquid nitrogen and return to their original shape when removed.

Their eyes lit up as they watched the balloons change shape. They were surprised by the balloon popping and were also amazed and passionately asked Professor Crofts why the balloon changed its shape.

The students also enjoyed playing field hockey with dry ice. They asked “Why does the dry ice slide?” while cooperating and competing with each other.

In another dry ice experiment, children tried stopping the slippery floating dry ice in a Curling game. They cooperated with each other and cheered when they successfully stopped it.

Children who joined the activity were excited. Their feedback was “I enjoyed the experiment this year and last year and I want to join next year too!”