Science
Grade 3/4
The Grade 3/4 students have been continuing to work through their unit on ‘Gravitational Forces’. This week the students have been learning about contact and non-contact forces. We have particularly been focusing on how gravity effects the planets and moons orbit patterns, as well as how it pulls objects to the Earth.
Next week, as we finish up the term, we will finish our current unit. The students will be conducting an experiment to investigate the effects of gravity on identical objects with different masses. To aid in the facilitation of this experiment, each Grade ¾ student is encouraged to bring in two identical plastic water bottles. The students will also engage in an assessment task in STEAM on the last day of term.
Focus vocabulary for this fortnight:
Axis: The imaginary line that goes through an object which it rotates around.
Mass: A measure of how much matter is in an object. Mass is usually measured in grams and kilograms.
Gravity: A force that pulls objects towards each other. Larger objects have more gravity, so they pull things towards themselves with greater force.
An interesting video that demonstrates how gravity effects objects inside and outside a vacuum can be found below.
Grade 5/6s
The Grade 5/6 students have been continuing to work through their ‘Space Travel’ unit. This week the students have been looking at insulation materials and what would work best for a spacesuit. They engaged in a practical experiment to explore the insulative effects of various materials. In STEAM they have also engaged in a research task around space problems and technological solutions.
Next week, the students will finish the unit as we end the term. The students will end the unit by learning about wayfinding and how First Nations people use the Sun, moon and stars for navigation. They will also engage in an assessment task in STEAM on the last day of term.
Focus vocabulary for this fortnight:
Insulation: A material that reduces the transfer of heat.
Atmosphere: The layer of cases surrounding the Earth.
Vacuum: A space that has no matter in it.