Bigger Science Question

[abby]

Hi --Can anyone help? We are doing bhfhg this fall , the experiment we just did was the first experiment in Colonial Science. The question was

how does soap protect you from germs and disease?

I thought this was a great experiment for the kids, but I wasn't sure of the answer myself. I was assuming it is because germs stick to the soap and they slide away when you wash?! Any ideas?

[my3sons]

Hi --Can anyone help? We are doing bhfhg this fall , the experiment we just did was the first experiment in Colonial Science. The question was

how does soap protect you from germs and disease?

I thought this was a great experiment for the kids, but I wasn't sure of the answer myself. I was assuming it is because germs stick to the soap and they slide away when you wash?! Any ideas?

I remember doing this one, with glitter right? That was a fun one. You're right in assuming the warm water and soap carry away the germs. The same concept holds true when washing dishes - the hotter the water, and the more dishsoap we use, the more food is removed, and the cleaner the pan. This is a good lesson to have about now, isn't it? Tis the flu season here. Oh, and one thing I like to do with science (actually with everything, but especially with science ) is read the key idea out loud to the kiddos when we finish the box. It usually recaps what was to be learned more nicely than I'd be able to phrase it. Have fun with Bigger - the science is a blast!

In Christ,
Julie

[abby]

Thanks so much for your input. Abby

[Heather]

I was interested in the scientific reasoning behind the soap and hot water working as well. I did a little research and this is what I found:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_soap ... ean_things

From what I understand the combination of soap and hot water breaks the bond between the dirt/germs/material and the natural oil on our skin. The reason that the hot water works better than cold water is that the rise in temperature gets the molecules moving more quickly so as to facilitate the bonds breaking more rapidly and effectively.

I like knowing the why behind the scientific concepts I teach my kids, too!

Heather

[Carrie]

Abby,

The ladies did a terrific job of answering your question! Isn't the board wonderful for having answers at your fingertips?

I agree that we keep the science portion in Bigger Hearts at an inquiry level, with the goal being to get kiddos experimenting and thinking just like you were doing! It's truly a great moment when we have even the moms wanting to know more about a scientific concept which sends them searching for answers. That is truly a great goal for science, and one that doesn't happen often with a textbook assignment. Moments like these are living science at its best.

Blessings,
Carrie