A sign in Tallwood Elementary School’s new science lab asks, “How were you a scientist today?”

The students were eager to show their guests how.

“Are you ready,” asked the third-grader with eyes open wide behind her science goggles.

“Get ready,” warned her peer scientist leaning back with a broad grin.

“Here it goes,” said a third student holding a small cup of baking soda.

With a pinch of the powdery substance, the mystery liquid in the glass bubbled and fizzed over the edge much to the delight of the three-student lab team and observing adults.

“It’s vinegar,” the third-graders exclaimed, and then confirmed the identity of the three liquids in the other glasses – hand sanitizer, Sprite and water – to their science lab guests.

There was applause. There was laughter.

But most importantly, there was learning.

Virginia Beach Education Foundation (VBEF) board members visited Tallwood’s science lab to see firsthand how VBEF grants are supporting the foundation’s mission “to fund innovative and creative learning programs for students.” Tallwood earned a $5,000 VBEF Schoolwide Grant, underwritten by CH2M Hill and Beach Windows & Siding, to support its plan to transform one classroom into a science lab to be used by teachers and students of all grade levels.

Complete with science lab tables and stools, microscopes, experiment materials of all kinds, goggles and the all-important scientist lab coats, the room resembles a secondary school science lab.

Tallwood gifted resource teacher and grant project director Keisha O’Neal took the opportunity to thank the VBEF board members for their support. “Everything you see in this room was purchased with the money we received from your grant,” said O’Neal, “so thank you, and know that it is making a difference for our students.”

O’Neal then asked the group of first-, second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-grade scientists in the room for their thoughts. “How do you guys feel about the science lab?”

“It’s awesome,” exclaimed the group in unison.

“I like it because I love science, and this is just the room for me. Science is awesome and this room is awesome,” one fifth-grader said.

One of his peers agreed, “At first I didn’t really like science, until I came into this room and learned all that we can do with science.”

“I like it because we don’t have to learn about science by just reading the books in class,” another student explained, “we can just come here and do our own little experiments.”

Tallwood principal David French builds on the student’s comment to highlight the lab’s value for teachers.

“We found that it was very challenging for the teachers to take the time in the classroom to set up for really authentic learning activities and hands-on science experiments,” said French. “We felt like it was very powerful for the teachers to bring the kids in, and the lab is all ready to go.”

French added that the lab is successful thanks to the valuable assistance of parent volunteers who help set up the room prior to class visits to ensure that students’ time in the lab is spent learning. It also provides a great opportunity for parents to be engaged partners in education by taking an active role in the scientific experiments.

O’Neal highlighted this hands-on learning and putting students at the center of scientific explorations as being critical to inspiring their love of science. In her grant project application entitled Taking Science from Drab to Fab she wrote, “Research shows that elementary students learn science best when they are involved in first-hand exploration and investigation. Additionally, research also suggests that elementary students value science best when the presentation is varied to accommodate different learning styles, and students are given opportunities to work collaboratively with their peers.”

Tallwood’s new science lab provides for those opportunities and much more.

Just ask the fifth-grader in the lab coat and goggles.

“I love how it’s a great source of learning, and it makes science really fun.”