The Creative Counselor: STEM

Unleashing the Mad Scientist Within:

Are your students tired of the same old lessons when it comes to teaching friendship skills? Imagine a classroom where learning to be a good friend is an exciting adventure filled with mind-boggling experiments and captivating discoveries! Prepare your students to get ready to step into the lab of a mad scientist, as you don a white lab coat, gloves, and safety goggles. This isn't your typical classroom experience; it's a thrilling exploration of friendship through the POWER OF SCIENCE!

Discover the Power of Attraction:

Picture the sheer amazement on your students' faces as they witness mind-blowing experiments that unravel the mysteries of friendship. I began by recounting a tale of a new student with off-putting tendencies. None of the other students liked the way he acted. I introduced the concept of attractive and repelling friendship behaviors. But I didn't stop there—we dove deeper into the magic of science, showcasing the REPELLING PEPPER EXPERIMENT that left the students in awe. Returning to the story, I retold it the opposite way with the new student having attractive behaviors followed by presenting the ATTRACTING PEPPER EXPERIMENT, revealing the positive impact of friendly behaviors on friendships. These experiments served as captivating metaphors, helping students understand how their actions shape their relationships.

Click here for an example of the Repelling science experiment

Click here for an example of the Attracting science experiment

Hands-On Sorting Fun:

But the excitement didn't end there! Next was an interactive experience as we engaged in a game of sorting behaviors. Students sorted attractive behaviors to stick to the magnet while repelling behaviors were repulsed away, providing a hands-on and memorable way for students to label and differentiate between these contrasting behaviors.

Becoming Human Magnets:

Continuing with the magnet metaphor, the immersive experience transformed students into HUMAN MAGNETS. With a hula hoop as our stage, students physically experienced the dynamics of friendship. Standing in the center of the hula hoop, students read scenarios from Magnet Manners Cards, their peers responded by stepping closer or moving away, based on the friendliness or negativity of the behavior described. This interactive exercise deepened their understanding of attractive and repelling behaviors and allows them to empathize with different friendship dynamics.

The Explosive Finale:

But the grand finale awaits! Brace yourself for the explosive demonstration of how words are like toothpaste—once they're out, there's no putting them back! Through the creation of ELEPHANT'S TOOTHPASTE, students witnessed the lasting impact of their words and the importance of choosing them wisely. This sensational experiment not only captures their imaginations but also instills a profound lesson about the power their words hold in building and maintaining friendships.

Click here for an example of the Elephant Toothpaste experiment.

Creating Lasting Memories:

My students' eyes lit up when I walked in the classroom and they witnessed their School Counselor donning a lab coat and goggles. They knew something extraordinary was about to unfold—a lesson that would be both enjoyable and educational. And boy, did it deliver! Our friend-making lesson immersed them in a world of science experiments, offering a visual explanation of how behavior impacts friendships.

The students were captivated by the mind-blowing science experiments, which served as powerful metaphors for understanding friendship dynamics. As they observed the experiments in action, they were able to grasp the concept of attracting and repelling behaviors in a way that was engaging and unforgettable. The hands-on nature of the lesson ensured that every student was actively involved, eager to participate and learn.

Months later, the impact of this lesson lingered. During end-of-year surveys, students vividly recalled the lesson's key takeaways. They remembered the significance of attracting and repelling behaviors, understanding how their actions influence the course of their friendships. The profound lesson that once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back resonated deeply, thanks to the memorable elephant toothpaste experiment.

Benefits of the Science Behind Friendship Lesson:

Engaging Visual Explanations: Through science experiments, students witness firsthand how behavior affects friendships, providing a visual and tangible understanding of the concept.
Active Participation: Every student gets involved in the hands-on activities, fostering a sense of inclusion and ensuring that all students are actively engaged throughout the lesson.
Long-lasting Impact: Students continue to talk about the lesson even after the academic year ends, demonstrating the lasting impression it made on their minds.
Improved Memory and Recall: Surveys reveal that students easily remember and recall the concepts learned, particularly attracting and repelling behaviors and the consequences of words spoken.
Enthusiastic Learning Environment: The captivating nature of the lesson sparks enthusiasm for learning, creating an atmosphere where students are eager to participate and absorb knowledge.
By integrating social-emotional learning SEL with STEM education, you will provide your students with a powerful combination of skills and knowledge.

Ready to Use Resource:

Incorporating these benefits into your classroom will not only make learning enjoyable but also empower your students with valuable friendship skills that will stay with them for years to come.

So, step into the lab, unleash your inner mad scientist, and embark on a friend-making adventure that will captivate your students' minds and ignite a love for learning!

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Not sure if you can do these science experiments? Sure you can! Watch these videos to see how easy it is!

Repelling Pepper Experiment, copy & paste into your browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho0o7H6dXSU

Attracting Pepper Experiment, copy & paste into your browser: https://youtu.be/Y2JDZ9s86CM

Elephant Toothpaste Experiment, copy & paste into your browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edEfc_fIGXs

Looking for more Interactive Friendship Activities? Here is another memorable activity!