sand, sand, SAND!!!

Unexpected results in my 6th grade science today.

We were doing what I thought was a rather mundane activity - measuring the temperature change of water, ice, and sand every minute while shining a light directly on them. The temperature was measured using electronic thermometers and displayed on the LCD projector, while the students watched and kept time.

They had predicted which one they thought would change the most - so about 15 minutes into this, the students started chanting in unison for the temperature of their chosen substance to change. So, there were shouts of "SAND, SAND, SAND" and "UP, UP, UP" emanating from my classroom. All the excitement over a change of only a few degrees! It is amazing how a little competition can motivate.

-alan

PS - Sand won.