Science

Grade 1 

This term we move into the area of Earth science, and Grade 1 will complete a unit called ‘Up Down and All Around’ - Look out your window and you will see a constantly changing world. The Sun rises and sets, and the sky reflects many different hues over a day. The landscape, everything we know about the environment, began by observing it. Environmental modelling, space exploration and city planning all rely on careful observations of the land and sky. In line with this, we will be making observation around our school to see what changes occur and what may cause these changes, particularly in the garden, and comparing natural and man-made materials in the environment. 

Grade 2 

Grade 2 students finished the term of chemical science with a pop! After testing different foods all term and abiding by the rule ‘We don’t eat the science!’ They enjoyed some popcorn for their last science lesson. This term as we move into Earth Science, we will complete a unit called Water Works where we will inquire about the ways we use one of Earth’s most precious resources - water. We will explore the movement of water throughout the school and across a landscape and investigate use of water in different occupations, suggesting responsible management of water at school and beyond 

Grade 3 

This term we will look into a unit called Night and Day. What causes night and day? The rising of the Sun and the Moon are daily reminders of the awe and wonder, beauty and power of the universe. We will study the relationships between the Sun, Earth, and Moon which helps us understand how we experience day and night on Earth.

Grade 4 

Grade 4’s final investigation in Term 3 Chemical Science was to test ‘How long it takes to melt a piece of Cadbury chocolate on your tongue?’  The children had a lot of fun and a couple asked, “can we eat it when we are finished?” The average amount of time to melt a square of Cadbury chocolate on a grade 5 student’s tongue was 2 minutes! No chewing was allowed!! 

In term 4, we will study a unit called ‘Our place in Space’ - This Earth and Space sciences unit explores the concept that Earth is part of a solar system of planets orbiting around a star (the Sun) Students will explore the circumstances and processes that led to the formation of the solar system, and the role of the sun as a provider of energy for Earth.

Grade 5  

In Term 4, Grade 5 students will have the opportunity to work through a unit called ‘Where on Earth?’ I have chosen this unit based on the keen interest students showed last year when we were studying rocks and the layers of the Earth. ‘Where on Earth’ follows neatly and compliments what they studied last year. In this unit, students will learn about changes to the Earth’s surface caused by weathering, erosion, transportation, and deposition occurring over varying time scales. 

 Grade 6 

Grade 6’s final unit of science at primary school is called ‘Creators and Destroyers’ - On average, a volcanic eruption occurs somewhere on Earth each week! Volcanic eruptions are often seen as devastating events, but they are also instrumental in providing rich fertile soils and mineral deposits. We will investigate the pros and cons of living near an active volcano, and the environmental effects that volcanic eruptions have.