Duration: 1 session
SPIRIT Skills:
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Valuing people and nature
- Connectedness
Brief Description:
Teams mix first recipes and build first wands. They label everything clearly and prepare for fair testing, practicing safe and responsible material use.
How does this develop particular SPIRIT skills
- Develops problem-solving through careful measuring, mixing, labelling, and building workable tools
- Strengthens critical thinking as students connect hypotheses to specific design/ingredient choices
- Reinforces valuing people & nature through safe handling, minimizing waste, and choosing materials responsibly
- Builds connectedness through shared roles and coordinated teamwork.
What do we want to achieve regarding SPIRIT skill development (student understanding and/or behaviour)?
As a result of this activity, students will be able to:
- Problem-solving: follow a step-by-step mixing plan and correct mistakes (wrong amount, missing label) using checks.
- Critical thinking: explain how their recipe/wand choice matches their hypothesis (“We chose X because we think it will…”).
- Valuing people and nature: demonstrate safe, careful use of materials and follow cleanup rules to protect people and the environment.
- Connectedness: collaborate in roles so the team completes a prototype with shared contribution.
Academic/Curriculum Objective connection
Experiment setup: controlled mixtures, tool design, preparation for fair testing.
Materials and tools needed for implementation
Ingredients, measuring tools, containers, wand supplies, labels, aprons/goggles.
Preparation notes
Safety briefing; label stations; provide a “standard solution” backup.
Guided Questions
- “How will you measure accurately?”
- “How will you label your recipe so it’s repeatable?”
- “What part of the wand might affect bubble size?”
Stage Debriefing Questions (Optional)
- “What surprised you while making your prototype?
Tips and Tricks for dealing with stage challenges
- Challenge: Messy stations and wasted materials.
Tip: a “materials monitor” role + measured ingredient trays. - Challenge: Wands don’t hold film.
Tip: add string loop / adjust shape / slow dip technique.