Constructing Scientific Understandings 4.5 Torres_02

“Great wealth, Dottie. Great wealth!” exclaimed John. “People that are wealthy have money. I rest my case.”

Dottie rolled her eyes. She did not even botherto reply. “Let’s go John. The bell is about to ring. We need to get to Mr. Hansen’s class before the seats in the front of the class are all taken,” Dottie said. She then packed up the remains of her lunch.

Mr. Hansen is a new teacher at the school. He has been hired to teach Physical Science, a mixture of Physics and Chemistry. The children love his class because he always has them working on cool experiments. There are rumors that this was the only job he could find after the lab accident. Either way, science is now an exciting class for the students.

“Look, Dottie, look! It’s the bag from the cafeteria. Now it is sitting on Mr. Hansen’s demonstration table,” John shouted just as Mr. Hansen entered the room.

Mr. Hansen greeted his class normally, “Good afternoon class. I hope you are all ready to think and learn about science. If not, you have come to the wrong classroom. As you have heard, I do indeed have the bag that has been on display in the cafeteria all week. Mr. Smith has been helping me out with my little investigation. Can anyone tell me what is in the bag?”

“Money!” shouted John. He was barely able to contain himself.

Mr. Hansen chuckled out loud. At the same time Dottie elbowed John in the ribs. “Illogical,” she muttered under her breath.

Mr. Hansen picked up a piece of PVC pipe from the demonstration table. He first showed the students there was nothing inside the pipe. He then held the PVC pipe vertical to the table. He placed one end into a small box. The end of the pipe could no longer be seen by the students. He then picked up a cotton ball and dropped it into the PVC pipe.