Home Experiments

November 17, 2023
Three glasses of different colored liquids are sitting on a table.

Easy Science Experiments to Try at Home


This article will share fun and easy science experiments that kids can do at home. We will show how science can be super fun and how kids can learn cool things by doing simple experiments with stuff they find around the house. We want to make science exciting for kids and easy for parents and teachers to share.

 

MAKE A VOLCANO IN YOUR KITCHEN


Making a baking soda volcano in your kitchen is a fascinating scientific experiment with the added "wow" effect of an explosion.


Ingredients/Materials


  • 3 to 7 cups warm water
  • Red food colouring
  • 5 drops dishwashing detergent
  • 2 tbsp. baking soda
  • 2 cups white vinegar


Supplies/Tools


  • Empty soda bottle (2 litre depending on how big you want your volcano)
  • Baking pan or large tray
  • Funnel


Instructions


1.  Create Your Volcano Structure


Place the plastic bottle in a baking pan or large tray and mould your volcano around it using play dough.

Whichever technique you choose to create your volcanic cone, be sure to keep the bottle opening free of material. Use the bottle cap or cover the opening with tape to prevent any material from getting in the bottle.


2.   Load Your Volcano

 

Using the funnel, fill the bottle two-thirds full with warm water and a few drops of food colouring. Add the dishwashing detergent and baking soda to the liquid in the bottle and give it a gentle stir.

 


   3. Prepare for the Explosion


Before adding the final ingredient, make sure that you're wearing some sort of protection over your eyes. Keep your face away from the volcano as the mixture may shoot up quite a bit, especially if you used a smaller bottle.

As precisely as possible (without using the funnel), pour the vinegar into the bottle and get ready for your miniature-sized volcanic eruption.


Try different amounts of vinegar. Try different amounts of baking soda. Try different sized and shaped bottles.


CREATE RAINBOW IN A GLASS

 

Ingredients


Sugar, water, food colouring, and 5 glasses or clear plastic cups.


INSTRUCTIONS


  1. Arrange five glasses in a row. 1 tablespoon (15 g) sugar in the first glass, 2 teaspoons (30 g) sugar in the second glass, 3 tablespoons (45 g) sugar in the third glass, and 4 tablespoons (60 g) sugar in the fourth glass. The fifth glass is still empty.


 

 

Add 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of water to each of the first 4 glasses. Stir each solution. Each solution should be stirred. If the sugar does not dissolve in any of the four glasses, add another tablespoon (15 ml) of water to each.

Fill the first glass with 2-3 drops of red food colouring, the second with 2-3 drops of yellow food colouring, the third with 3 drops of green food colouring, and the fourth with 3 drops of blue food colouring. Each solution should be stirred.


Now, utilizing the various density solutions, let's create a rainbow. Fill the remaining glass about a quarter of the way with the blue sugar solution.


Layer some green sugar solution on top of the blue liquid with care. Put a spoon in the glass, just above the blue layer, and slowly pour the green solution over the back of the spoon.


If you do it correctly, you won't affect the blue solution at all. Fill the glass halfway with the green solution.

Using the back of the spoon, place the yellow solution on top of the green liquid. Fill the glass three-quarters of the way.


Finally, pour the crimson solution on top of the yellow liquid. Fill the glass up to the brim.


 

MAKE A BOUNCY EGG

 

Supplies Needed


  •    Raw Egg
  •    Clear Glass or Jar
  •    White Vinegar


Instructions


  1.  Place an egg carefully into a jar.
  2.  Fill a jar with vinegar until the egg is fully covered.


  1.  Leave egg for 24 hours, then drain the old vinegar and add fresh vinegar.
  2.  Check on the progress each day and note how the egg changes.
  3.  After three days, carefully remove the egg from the jar and rinse with water.


The egg will now look translucent, and the yolk can be seen from the outside. Allow your child to gently “bounce” the egg from a small height, about 6 inches or less.


PLAY WITH STATIC ELECTRICITY USING A BALOON

 

What You Need

• 2 balloons

• Light string, thread, or curling ribbon

• Wool fabric (socks, mittens, or sweater)

• Gift tissue paper

• Aluminium can (empty, on its side)

 

Instructions

1. Blow up the balloons and tie a light string to each


2. Hold a balloon by the string (it should be hanging down) and bring the balloon close to each of the materials (the second balloon, the tissue paper, and the aluminium can).


 

         

3.Rub both balloons onto your hair or onto the wool fabric.

                               

 

EXPLORING DENSITY - FLOATING EGG EXPERIMENT

 

Equipment needed

  • Measuring cups (1 cup and ¼ cup)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 clear beakers or glasses
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Food colouring
  • Spoon

What to do


1. Fill one of the glasses with 1 cup of water.

2. Gently drop one egg into the water and watch what happens.

3. Fill the second glass with 1 cup of water and ¼ cup of salt.

4. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved.

5. Add a few drops of food colouring to the salt water and stir to mix.

6. Gently drop the second egg into the glass and watch what happens.     


 

 

 

Choosing the Right School for Your Child

August 21, 2025
Selecting a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. A good school nurtures not just academic growth, but also social, emotional, and moral development. A good school does not only allow parents to dream of possibilities for their children but also assist in making those dreams become realities! With so many options available, public and private, it’s essential to know what to look for in making this important decision. During your next visit to a prospective school for your precious child, put some consideration towards the following important aspects of a school: 1. A Strong Educational Foundation Check for a clear and balanced curriculum that emphasizes core subjects like reading, math, science, and the arts. Ask about teaching methods and how the school measures progress. Look for schools that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Reputable schools produce excellent results, annually. At GIS we use Guided Readers, a digital platform for Standard 1-3 which gauges the reading ability of individual students. We also use ADvLEARN in Standard 7, Form 1-4 which uses adaptive technology to give tailor-made mathematics exercises to meet students where they are at, building them up to where they should be and beyond! Our campus is equipped with seven ICT labs, five physics/chemistry labs and two robotics labs. Our teachers are all equipped with laptos, projectors and sound bars to bring the class to life! We also have drones, VR-headsets, lazar cutters and 3-D printers – equipping our students to gain valuable experiences, preparing them for the real world! 2. Dedicated and Qualified Staff Meet the teachers and staff. Are they approachable, qualified, and passionate about education? A supportive, well-trained teaching staff can make a huge difference in your child’s learning experience. At GIS, all our teachers are qualified with 25% of our staff holding post-graduate degrees i.e. Masters and Honours Degrees. Another 46% hold degrees i.e. B.A, BEd or BSc. with the remainder of 29% holding a teaching diploma or equivalent. Our teachers enjoy regular training opportunities through our internal training platform, Sirius. Our teachers are thus life-long learners themselves, passionate about education and best-practice. We care about our individual students’ wellbeing and remain in close contact with parents throughout their child’s educational journey with us. 3. Registration, Health and Safety It is imperative to select a school which is registered with the necessary authorities as an operating school. All schools are bound by specific health and safety regulations with proven steps taken to comply. GIS High School is registered with Cambridge. The Primary School is registered with the Ministry of Education for PSLE examinations at the end of Standard 7. Being part of ADvTECH means that the school is subjected to rigorous health and safety protocol with internal and external audits being carried out annually. 4. A Positive School Culture Tour the school to observe the environment. Are students engaged and respectful? Do teachers and administrators seem enthusiastic and caring? A positive, inclusive atmosphere contributes significantly to a child’s confidence and motivation. We are proud to share that GIS-students hail from 32 different countries. We truly celebrate our unique cultures and individual strengths. Even so, we are grounded in Botswana values, taking care of our community and environment. Have a look out for our community service projects and participation in environmental programmes often shared on social media. 4. Student Support and Enrichment Opportunities Look for a school that provides more than just academics—such as counselling services, extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, and arts programs. These contribute to a well-rounded education and help children discover their interests and talents. At GIS, we have an on-site psychologist who assist with academic support and counselling. We also have a dedicated Deputy Principal of Pastoral Care and Discipline, ensuring that students are guided through each phase while reaching their full potential. Students can select from a vast range of extra-mural activities including but not limited to soccer, netball, swimming, athletics, basketball, table tennis, spelling bee competitions, maths Olympiads, debate and moot court. 5. Parental Involvement Strong schools often welcome parent engagement. Whether through regular communication or active partnerships between home and school, it truly supports student success. At the end of every academic term, parents are invited to our campus to meet with their children’s teachers to discuss the term’s progress and results. Parents are also invited to termly Coffee with the Heads of Schools during which important updates are shared. Parents are always welcome to reach out to our teachers and school management to support where needed. Final Thoughts Choosing the right school is a deeply personal decision. Take your time to visit, ask questions, and trust your instincts. Remember: the best school is the one where your child feels safe, supported, and inspired to learn!  Allow us to dream with you and assist your child to ascend to their aspirations! You are invited to visit our school and to meet our principals.

School as a Community Hub: Building Stronger Parent–Teacher Partnerships

By Victoria Mutema. Reception HOD • August 18, 2025
At GIS Pre-Primary we follow the Reggio Emilia approach, and we believe that learning flourishes through collaboration among educators, learners, and families. Our environment is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and meaningful connections. Central to our philosophy is the idea that parents are not just supporters of education but active partners in the learning journey. 1 . Open Communication We prioritize clear and consistent communication. Each term begins with a newsletter outlining key calendar events, followed by timely WhatsApp reminders to keep families informed. Monthly class overviews help parents stay engaged with their child’s learning, identify areas needing support, and collaborate with teachers before new topics are introduced. 2. Meaningful Parent Engagement We actively invite parents into the classroom to observe and participate in hands-on learning experiences. Celebrations like Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are honored, while events such as Sports Day offer opportunities for parents to join in the fun. When children see their parents involved, it reinforces a sense of encouragement and shared purpose, sending a powerful message that their education is deeply valued. 3 . Supporting Home Learning Learning does not stop at the school gate. Through weekend projects and real-world experiences, like gardening, baking, or museum visits, parents help children explore their world. Learners document these moments through photos and videos, fostering reflection, independence, and self-motivation. Watching themselves and their peers engaged in discovery empowers children to take ownership of their growth.  4. Celebrating an Inclusive Community At GIS, we proudly celebrate the diversity of our school community by hosting a range of events at varied times, ensuring that everyone can participate and feel included. Our Family Fun Day is a vibrant example of this, bringing together families from all walks of life to share in the rich cultural heritage, diverse experiences, and unique perspectives that make our school so special. These events not only foster a sense of belonging and connection among families but also create a warm and inclusive environment that welcomes and values every individual. Strong parent–teacher partnerships are the foundation of a thriving learning environment. At GIS, we’re committed to nurturing these connections, ensuring that every child is supported, inspired, and surrounded by a community that believes in their potential.

The link between visual arts and problem-solving skills

August 18, 2025
Visual Art at Gaborone International School encourages creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills, while also boosting mental health and well-being of students. Visual Art skills are transferable to diverse subjects like mathematics, Science, English and Setswana (writing, poetry and storytelling). Below are the special areas that Visual art help learners develop. Creativity and Innovation Engaging in visual Art project encourages creative thinking and exploration. Learners in visual Art class often experiment with different materials, techniques, and concepts, fostering an innovative mindset that can be applied to problem-solving in various subjects. In Gaborone International School, upper primary classes recycle materials around the school premises to design various art pieces like texture painting, 3D and relief sculptures. Critical Thinking Analysing and interpreting visual Art requires critical thinking skills. When we embark in any project, learners carry out a research and brainstorm their findings. This is a crucial process which brings about differentiation, thus having our own unique style and technique to develop what has been done before. This process enlightens learners to evaluate their work and the work of others, assessing what works and what doesn’t, which parallels the evaluative processes in problem-solving. This can be attested by what Std 5 discovered in their painting project where their painting colour effect began during the priming stage to give a wash effect to the painting. Perspective Taking Our learners are trained to be neutral when analysing or passing a judgement of visual art pieces, this encourages individuals to see things from multiple perspectives. This ability to view a problem from different angles both individual and group work lead to more comprehensive solutions and ideas are generated from sober judgement and analysing. Visualization Skills Learners develop strong visualization skills which are crucial in problem-solving. Before an imaginative artwork is brought into visibility, learners visualise their composition in its various perspective, in our imaginative drawing class, learners write a script about their art piece before they start working on it. Being able to envision potential outcomes and scenarios helps in planning and executing solutions effectively. Tolerance and endurance The process of creating art often involves trial and error. A work of painting begins with what seems like chaos. It’s all part of the creative process. Our leaners are trained to keep in mind that the initial mess is a point in the journey —it’s not the finish line. This teaches patience and the importance of endurance, qualities that are essential in overcoming challenges in problem-solving. Collaboration Group work in our Visual Art class is important because it fosters interactive learning, promotes the development of essential skills, and encourages deeper understanding of the subject matter. The difference between one artist from another is their application, style and detailing. When students work in a group, it allows them to learn from each other, share diverse perspectives, and practice collaborative skills crucial for project success. Our painting final pieces were of greater value because it was a collaborative work where leaners focused on their expert areas. Those who are good with visual sketching brought object form into the canvas while those who master the colour wheel merged colours, and the brush stroke brought the vision into reality. FACTS ABOUT VISUAL ART AT GABORONE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Science lessons at Gaborone International School use visual art to communicate complex ideas. Visualization techniques help in data representation, making scientific concepts more accessible. Art also plays a role in scientific observation and experimentation. In a multi-cultural school like Gaborone International School, Visual Art class highlights the awareness of Respect Diversity and Inclusion (RDI) to learners, it exposes students to different cultures and perspectives, fostering global awareness and appreciation for diversity. Visual Art classes improve learners emotional and social skills. Majority of learners express their emotions and thoughts though their works of Art.