Fifth grader Emma Baker, science teacher Jaclyn Bray, and classmate Zayden Meadows love to team up during “Lab Time” at Callaghan Elementary. Hands-on experiments, from testing tissue absorbency to growing crystals, are helping students explore science through discovery, collaboration, and curiosity. (AHPS Photo)

Callaghan Classroom Turns into Lab of Science Discovery   Covington, VA (Sept. 3, 2025) - At Callaghan Elementary, science isn’t just a subject that’s taught, it’s touched, mixed, and tested! Fifth graders are rolling up their sleeves this year for hands-on experiments that turn the classroom into a lively lab full of discoveries. Principal Lisa Hansford explained, “We looked at the science SOLs last year. The feedback on the test, the questions each kid missed, showed us we need to be more application-based.” For many students, this is their first year focused on science, after spending fourth grade concentrating on Virginia Studies to align with the state SOLs. The new science teaching method at Callaghan is simply called “Lab Time,” and it’s designed to improve student learning and scores on the Virginia Science SOLs. Science teacher Jaclyn Bray began the year enthusiastically, introducing students to the scientific method and emphasizing that experiments require careful steps and consistent procedures. Students learned that following the method precisely and repeating trials is crucial for reliable results. The excitement began with a simple, yet revealing experiment: testing the absorbency of three tissue brands – Great Value, Kleenex, and Scotties. Working in six lab groups, students ran multiple trials and averaged the results to minimize human error. They discovered that Scotties tissues were the most absorbent, reinforcing the importance of repetition in science. “This is how we make discoveries and find things out in science, by doing these tests over and over again,” said Bray. From tissues to crystals, the class then explored a unit on matter, applying their observation skills in a new way. Students dissolved Epsom salts in water, painted the solution on black paper, and observed the crystals with magnifying glasses after the water dried. They learned that just because something cannot be seen doesn’t mean it isn’t there. It was a simple yet powerful lesson about observation and evidence. The hands-on approach continued with experiments that brought abstract concepts to life. Making homemade ice cream in baggies illustrated how liquids can change into solids, while trail mix and clay activities helped students understand the difference between mixtures and solutions.  “The kids have to know that when you make a solution, you cannot separate the parts. But when you make a mixture, you can still separate out the physical characteristics,” Bray explained.  Students practiced by sorting trail mix ingredients: marshmallows, peanuts, and M&Ms, seeing firsthand how mixtures can be separated even when combined. Bray emphasized the value of these concrete experiences: “Students love it. They love doing that hands-on stuff. It gets them excited about learning science. It makes those connections stick in their brains later on. It’s those concrete, hands-on things that make it enjoyable, but those are also the things you remember.”  Beyond academic learning, these activities also strengthen teamwork, relationship skills, and fine motor development as students collaborate in lab groups. To support the hands-on labs, “Lab Time” is integrated with LINKtivity, a tool purchased with funds raised during last year’s Read-A-Thon. To manage the class size, half the students work in the labs while the other half watch science videos through LinkTivity, then the groups switch. Students are enthusiastic about the approach. “I like what I am doing in science this year. It’s pretty fun. It’s more fun because we get to do experiments,” said Emma Baker, who enjoys hands-on learning and group collaboration. Classmate Zayden Meadows, who loves math, said the hands-on experiments are sparking his interest in science. “I want to mix chemicals. Her [Emma’s] specialty is reading, and mine is math. I really like doing experiments,” he said. Bray summed it up best: “I think it’s a fun and important part of the experience of science. With each experiment comes discovery and collaboration.” Callaghan’s fifth graders are not just learning science, they’re living it, building curiosity and skills that will stick long after they leave fifth grade. From the smallest crystal to making tasty homemade ice cream, these hands-on experiences show that science is all around them. It’s all part of the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools’ mission to educate students now and prepare them for the future. Stay updated on news and events at www.ahps.k12.va.us or follow AHPublicSchools on Facebook and Instagram. Callaghan Elementary fifth graders dive into “Lab Time,” where teamwork and hands-on experiments, from testing absorbency to making ice cream, turn science into discovery. (AHPS Photo)

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