Plasma Lamp experiment - 15th September 2022
Spontaneous: This morning while the children were playing I went to my box in the storeroom to see if I could find something the children maybe interested in. In the box I found the Plasma Lamp and thought the children would love this. I went to the table and sat down and straight away Pilar, Hunter and Aarvi came to see what I was doing. Kavitha (educator) turned the lights off and we closed the blinds for the full effect. Upon opening the box and pulling the Plasma lamp out there was so much excitement. "What is it?" said Pilar. " Well it's called a Plasma Lamp" I said. I turned the switch on and well the children's faces were priceless. Then when I touched the lamp and moved my fingers the children faces were alight. Pilar wanted to be first so when she moved her fingers she couldn't believe her eyes watching the electicity move around and around. Aarvi had her turn and she loved putting her hands on and off the lamp watching the electroids stop then move according to how she moved her fingers. Hunter was so impatent he kept saying my turn and climbing the table to take it off the girls but when it was his turn he screamed in delight as he moved his fingers. Elya heard the laughter and came running saying my turn so Pilar handed her the lamp. Elya was so funny when she touched the lamp she yelled out "spider, spider" which made all the children follow her cue. Mila came over and she was a little hesitant at first but then came back for more then with a big smile moved it over to Gabby who was waiting for her turn, Gabby loved the lamp moving her fingers back and forth then she put her whole hand over the lamp to see what it would do and it just moved to the side of her hand. I called out to Elliot to have a turn he too was a little bit hesitant closing his eyes and hiding his face but with some encourgement he gave it a go and he loved it moving his fingers all over the lamp. Nathan loves his trucks at the moment and wanted to join in so with trucks and he too had a turn smiling as he moved his fingers across the lamp. To add on to the experiement I went to find a comb and some paper for the old electricity trick of combing the the hair then picking up the small pieces of paper. I couldn't find the comb so I tried the brush but it didn't work as well so we will try again another time.
Link to Pedagogical Documentation
EYLF Outcomes
Outcomes: 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world Elements: 2.1 Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation. Children used play to investigate and explore this activity.
Theorists
This learning experience can be linked to Piaget's theories. He beleives the child is an active learner and that the child must be given opportunities to explore, discover and experiment, These principles underpin all cognitive development.
Interpretation
Critical Reflection: I wanted to see the children's reaction to this experiment by using the Plasma lamp and then having open- ended conversations with them on how it worked and why. Follow up: To use a comb to see if the electricity will be able to pick up some paper.
