Pax’s Story

My name is Pax and I am from Michigan in the United States of America. I am 11 years old and will be in sixth grade next year. I enjoy swimming and playing music. I also like to learn about science. I am glad that I got to come to Africa to learn about Botswana and to visit Kachekau Primary School – Special Unit, on July 9, 2023. Muchenje Safari Lodge helped make the connection to the school through their support of Pack for a Purpose.  We brought some art supplies and learning materials and also led three activities during our visit. We had one creative activity – water painting – and two science activities. One was bubble blowing using straws and bubble solution on plates (the students had fun with this). I was in charge of the second science activity and chose to show the students how to make Oobleck and let them experiment with it. Oobleck is a kind of slime that changes from liquid to solid and back again. It is made with cornstarch and water.

I chose to do this activity because I thought it would be fun (my friends and I like it) and very easy for them to do on their own. The students seemed to enjoy it because of the way they could play with the Oobleck and watch it change from solid to liquid in their hands. They helped each other figure out what to do to make it change and laughed as they experimented. The students might also enjoy reading the book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, by Dr. Seuss. I appreciate that the teachers and students let us come to their school. The students even led us in song at the end.  I have never really had an experience like this. It was interesting to meet the students, see the school, and to share my love of science and experimenting with them.. I was glad they seemed excited to participate in our activities.