Science for Seniors

[melissam 0]

Science for Seniors

Melissa Morgan, Activities Coordinator

 

 I have developed a monthly program called “Science for Seniorsâ€. It is a science-based interactive small-group program suitable for difference cognitive and physical levels. Science for seniors is visually stimulating, mentally stimulating and has a good wow factor. My goal for the program is continuing education in a fun way.  I get most of my ideas for different experiments from Pinterest and from searching science websites meant for teachers. I do not have a strong science background but I try to learn enough about the projects that we do so that I can explain the science behind the experiment and also answer basic questions.

 

I got the initial idea for this program during MEPAP 1 when I was researching activity needs that weren’t being met. I have a resident who is very interested in science and I was not offering any science specific programs. I came across the idea for Science for Seniors on the web and decided to give it a try.  I have a mix of residents who are completely cognitively intact, residents who have late stage Alzheimer’s, and everything in between.  The program is designed so that it will keep the attention of someone with Alzheimer’s while at the same time offer an enriching experience for those residents who would like to learn something new.

 

A particular experiment that the residents loved is a surface tension experiment. It teaches a lesson, is fun to watch, uses basic ingredients that most people have around the house, and has instant results.

 

Tools/ Ingredients needed:

Plate for each resident attending

Food Coloring

Whole Milk

Dish Detergent

Dropper or Q-tip

Optional- Coffee stirrer, spoon, or toothpick

 

Steps:

1. You will want to do this experiment at a table and preferably not near rugs just in case of a spill. Start by placing a plate in front of each resident.
2. Pour whole milk onto plate so that the bottom is covered plus some. Whole milk works best because the high fat content of the milk creates stronger surface tension or sort of a skin on top of the milk. Results may be better with whole milk but other milk may be used and should work.
3. Have each resident put about 8-10 drops of different colors of food coloring on the plate of milk. Do this when the milk is still and instruct the residents to resist moving the plate or stirring the colors. The surface tension has not been broken yet; the food coloring should stay where it has been dropped rather than blend.
4. Have the residents guess what will happen next and then fill a dropper with dish detergent. Drop one drop of dish detergent into the center of the plate and watch as the colors swirl! The dish detergent is denser than the milk and has broken the surface tension causing all of the colors and milk to mix. If you do not have a dropper then you can dip a Q-tip in detergent and then touch the Q-tip to the center of the plate with similar results.
5. Once the colors stopped swirling I let the residents uses a coffee stirrer to mix their colors more- just for fun!

 

[Mel 0]

FYI there is already a program put there called Science for Seniors.  It is written by Gloria Hoffner.  She has an inexpensive book you can purchase FULL of experiments, I highly recommend the book as it does a lot of the research for you and has videos/trivia ect you can use. She also writes a monthly column for Creative Forecasting with a monthly experiment in it as well.  There are also kits you can purchase from S&S that have supplies you need for multiple of the experiments.

 

Hopefully that will help you save yourself some time by using her already done products!

[thilst 0]

Melissa, this is awesome! I will definitely try this. Do you ever incorporate technology into this program? For example, do you and your residents every watch videos of the experiments being completed, or instructional videos?

Does your resident who you created this group for still participate in it?

-Taylor

[melissam 0]

Mel- i will definitely look into getting the book and i will be looking up Gloria. Thanks for the info. It will make future research and experiments so much easier!

 

Taylor- I have not incorporated technology yet but that is a good idea. It is a newer program that i am trying. Last month we made bouncy balls and next month we will be making "lava lamps". The resident that i started it for does attend the activities and is tickled that we have added the science genre to our activities. Good luck with your experiment! Keep me updated.