Universal prekindergarten (UPK) students recently engaged in an “eggs”tra special experiment. The young scientists made predictions about what would happen to eggs that were submerged overnight in three different liquids: vinegar, soda and water.

Their predictions ranged from the egg would explode, to the egg will crack and sink to the ground, to nothing will happen to the egg.

The next day in class, the students made observations of the outcomes. “It’s squishy,” one UPK student said about the egg that was steeped in vinegar, which had dissolved the shell.

The shell of the egg soaked in cola turned a light shade of brown. “Look what the soda did to the eggshell,” said the UPK teacher. “Do you remember what color the egg was yesterday?” “White,” students replied.

Meanwhile, the egg immersed in water showed little change at all.

Opportunities available for young learners

This is one example of the learning activities that happen every day in UPK classrooms. UPK provides young children a head start on learning. We currently have several open spots in one 4-year-old UPK classroom. If you live in the Watervliet City School District and have a child who will be 4 years of age by December 1, 2020, and you are interested in enrolling in UPK, registration packets are available at the elementary school entrance. Contact the UPK office at 518-629-3263, if you have any questions.

Families have the option for their child to attend in person or virtual class. The half-day program runs from 12:45 to 3:30 p.m. in person, and is free to Watervliet families. The virtual class meets daily for 30 minutes of live activities on Google Meet. The teacher also posts additional activities for care givers that can be used any time with the students at home.

Before care from 9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. is available from the Boys and Girls Club for a monthly fee. Space is limited.