S.T.E.A.M.
Science Technology Engineering Arts Maths
Celebrating Science Week
In week five we celebrated National Science Week. All classes in grades Prep to Five participated in some fun experiments. First up we looked at how geysers work and simulated a geyser eruption using a narrow necked bottle, bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. Then we created an edible chemical reaction that was a big hit. The students made sherbet or Wizz Fizz and looked at how bicarbonate of soda and citric acid dissolve and combine to release carbon dioxide when they mix with a fluid such as saliva. The students enjoyed sampling their creation very much. Here is the recipe if you would like to make it again at home:
Sherbet Recipe (makes 1 serve)
1 tablespoon icing sugar
1 teaspoon flavoured jelly crystals (we used strawberry)
½ teaspoon citric acid (available from supermarkets in baking section)
¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
Measure all the ingredients and place in a bowl (multiply each ingredient measurement by the number of serves you wish to make).
Stir to combine. Enjoy!
There has also been a request for the environmentally friendly weed killer that the Preps and Grade Ones made a couple of weeks ago. Here it is:
Environmentally Friendly Weed Killer
1 litre of white vinegar
¾ cup of salt (we used a morter and pestle to grind the salt a bit to help it dissolve more easily)
3 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid
Combine all ingredients in a large jug or bowl and stir to dissolve the salt.
Pour into a spray bottle (allow to sit for a few hours and then shake if the salt is not all dissolved).
Spray liberally onto weeds to saturate them.
Results from the Prep and Grade One experiments showed that weeds should begin to wilt within hours and turn yellow/brown within days.
In week six the Preps, Grade Ones and Grade Twos read the story of The Garden Project by Margaret McNamara to celebrate book week. They then created brainstorm lists of what should and should not go in a sustainable vegetable garden. They then began creating designs of their ideal sustainable vegetable garden.
In week six the Grade Three and Four classes each chose a picture story book to read to celebrate both our topic of sustainability and book week. They then looked at why plastic is so widely used and why we have an abundance of it, creating a need for quality recycling programs. The students explored some of plastic’s properties including, its flexibility, in an experiment where they poked sharpened pencils through a plastic bag filled with water. The students found that the plastic held tight around the pecils in the holes preventling leaks.
In week six the Grade Fives read the story of The Jacket by Sue-Ellen Pashley about a jacket that is well loved by a number of children and handed down multiple times before being turned into a unique teddy bear. To celebrate this wonderful story of sustainability the students began creating designs for a project in which they will transform old worn out ACPS uniforms, that have holes and stains and were destined to be thrown away, into new items.
Lego Club
Lego Club runs on Mondays during lunchtime in the STEAM room. Everyone is welcome!
Kate Misra