Nash Everywhere Digital Academy Students Explore Density, Chemical Reactions, and Physics in Lab Activities
NASH COUNTY, N.C. – Fifth-grade students at Nash Everywhere Digital Academy (NEDA), led by teacher Lakan Allen, recently participated in an in-person lab session, a rare opportunity outside of their regular online classes, to explore density, chemical reactions, and physics through hands-on experiments.
The lab began with students testing the density of various liquids, including water, salt water, vinegar, honey, and oil, to determine which were the most and least dense. Students also weighed each liquid to demonstrate the law of conservation of mass, confirming that mass remains constant despite changes in state or mixtures.
In another experiment, students tested how temperature affects the brightness of glow sticks by placing them in ice water, room-temperature water, and boiling water. They observed that the glow sticks became brighter when heated and dimmed when cooled, showing how chemical reactions are influenced by temperature.
The students also combined vinegar and baking soda, producing a chemical reaction that inflated a balloon, illustrating the principles of chemical change and conservation of matter.
The lab concluded with an egg-drop challenge, where students applied concepts of mass, gravity, air resistance, and force by designing vessels to prevent eggs from breaking. They measured speed by calculating time and distance, using physics concepts to analyze their results.
“This in-person session allowed students to connect with their classmates and engage with science in a way that’s not always possible in an online environment,” Allen said. “It was wonderful to see them work together, make predictions, and explore scientific concepts through experimentation.”
The lab aligns with Nash Everywhere Digital Academy’s mission to blend virtual learning with meaningful in-person experiences, helping students develop problem-solving skills and explore STEM concepts through real-world applications..
About Nash Everywhere Digital Academy:
Nash Everywhere Digital Academy (NEDA) is part of Nash County Public Schools and offers flexible, high-quality digital education for students from fourth through high school. NEDA provides innovative learning opportunities to equip students with the skills they need for success in today’s world.
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Media Contact:
Heather Louise Finch, Public Information Officer