Bundaberg’s own Surfing Scientist Ruben Meerman recently visited Kalkie State School to inspire students about chemistry.
Students learnt about the periodic table, atoms and molecules and they were engaged in experiments which included creating molecules with sticky atoms.
As ABC Playschool's first resident scientist and television show Catalyst guest speaker Ruben said he had a fantastic day visiting the Kalkie students.
“I am obviously super excited that the students at Kalkie State School are now learning about the periodic table, atoms and molecules,” Ruben said.
“The kids are now ready to learn how plants turn carbon dioxide and water into food and oxygen, and how people turn food and oxygen back into carbon dioxide and water.
“It’s the circle of life!
“They learned how to write chemical formulas for common substances like hydrogen gas, water, ammonia, and methane.
“Students also learned about the invention of modern chemical notation and why we write H₂O and not OH₂, a simple question that would stump most adults.”
Kalkie State School teacher Judith Stutchbury said the young students were very much engaged in the science presented and they were very quick to catch on to the scientific language and molecule representations Ruben presented.
“It’s quite exciting to see them understand the grade 10 chemistry they were learning,” Judith said.
“Students said that they were excited to go home to teach their parents about what they had learnt and were so engaged they wanted to stay to learn more from Ruben and ask more questions.
“Kalkie State School was lucky to be left with 15 kits to be able to explore molecules and atoms further.
“Ruben’s visit inspired and engaged students in hands-on science which is very important and to have it presented by such an expert, a physicist, makes it real and exciting for students and teachers.
“Ruben disclosed that he wished he had learnt about chemistry at [a] much earlier age, so he is dedicating projects and time to ensure he reaches younger students who soak up the learning.
“Science is so important for everyday living, to be able to make sense of our world, to encourage critical thinking and problem solving.
“It drives technological advancement and innovation, fosters an understanding of environmental issues and the need for sustainability which is critical for addressing global challenges like climate change.
“Science connects our world through global competence, inspires career pathways into STEM, and ignites curiosity and wonder.”
Eat, Breathe, Move is an initiative of the Building a Healthy Bundaberg Alliance and its supporting members.
The project is funded by the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Health and Wellbeing Queensland under Round 2 of the ActiveKIT program.
