Today for our STEM lesson we tested the mortar sandwiched we made yesterday.  We created two tests for the mortar.  They were the Sticky Test and the Earthquake Test.  Before we started testing we did some predicting about the results based on our observations without touching.  Then we conducted the tests and the results were the clay worked the best on both tests.  The sand worked somewhat on the earthquake test but not at all on the sticky test.  We then looked at real mortar. (Thanks Laura) and realized how many of the properties were like the clay powder.  But we concluded that it was more gritty than the clay powder.  So we are thinking that maybe we should add some sand to the clay powder.

"Today I learned what dry mortar looks like."Levi
"I learned that all materials won't work as a mortar." Emma
"Clay powder and mortar both dry hard even thought they don't start out with exactly the same properties."Ian
"I think tomorrow we should mix some clay power, sand, and water and then test it."Jude
"Today I learned that real mortar looks a lot like sand."Alberto
"I learned that clay powder and mortar are alike."Bailee