In science, the 8th grade has been exploring the realm of chemistry. Our young scholars started learning about atoms, molecules, compounds and the phases of matter such as solids, liquids and gases. However, our gators have also started to question and explore the fourth state of matter referred to as “plasma.” Plasma is essentially a supercharged gas atom and plasma actually makes up about 99% of all matter in the known universe! Some examples of plasma on our planet include static electricity and lightning. In class, students were able to see plasma and it’s behavior first hand! With the help of an instrument called, a “Van De Graaff” students were able to see and even feel the plasma and electricity that was generated from this device. After we saw the plasma generated from the machine, the eighth grade had some fun with the instrument and saw how the electrical currents from the machine can be transferred to themselves. Prior to turning on the machine, a student would rest one hand on the device which was then turned on. Within a few seconds the generator starts making an electrical current that is transferred to the student which they can feel as a slight fuzzy feeling but they can also see, as the hair on their body starts to stand up. The eighth grade thoroughly enjoyed this demonstration and are eager to use it again once we get to the unit on electromagnetics.