Oakdale Elementary Holds “Dry Ice” Science Experiments

Did you know that “dry ice” doesn't melt? It “sublimates” – going from a solid to a gas, skipping the liquid stage.

You know that dry ice is cold, but did you know that it was really -109 degrees farenheit?

Did you know that “everything” in the Universe is made up of Matter and Energy? 

Well, the 5th grade students at the Oakdale Elementary School in Dedham know all of that, and much more.

Each year around Halloween, Oakdale's acclaimed 5th grade Science teacher, Ruth Dorsey, holds her much anticipated “dry ice day” at the school. 

Mrs. Dorsey joined the Dedham Public School system in 1996. This was the ninth year that Mrs. Dorsey has transformed her classroom in to a five-station Science lab.

Each of Oakdale's three, 5th grade classes, has an hour to try out and experiment with the dry ice. A firm believer in the “hands-on” approach to learning – the old Chinese proverb on Ruth Dorsey's wall holds true: “I hear it – I forget it … I see it – I remember it … I do it – I understand it.” 

Recipient of Dedham's Ed Kelley Award (a teacher that shows compassion, insight, and integrity) and a State finalist (to be chosen later this school year) for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mrs. Dorsey has achieved “results.” 

Each year, Principal Holli Armstrong asks her graduating 5th grade class of their favorite Oakdale memories, and each year she hears of Mrs. Dorsey's Science class. Principal Armstrong reminds us, of the State's 875 Elementary Schools, Oakdale is always near the top of the list with MCAS testing in Science… they take learning very seriously. 

On this day, Superintendent June Doe and Asst. Superintendent Cynthia Kelly, stopped by to check in on the experiments. Both Administrators got so caught up in the work, they each put on a pair of rubber gloves and participated along with the class.

Mrs. Doe told us that “we're very proud of Mrs. Dorsey and of her dedication to the students.” “This is something we'd like to see in all of our schools… We say it often, but it is such a pleasure to see everyone on the same page.”