Science at BPS

What a fascinating term we have had in Science at BPS!  

We started off investigating the names of different types of Scientists including botanist, volcanologist, zoologist, meteorologist, glaciologist, astrophysicist and my personal favourite - mycologist (Who knew a mycologist was such a fun guy?? Do you get it?)

Some classes have also had time to research a scientist who has inspired them or discovered something that has caused significant change in an area. The world has certainly seen some amazing discoveries we can learn from.

Our Earth Science Unit Our Powerful Earth, has focused in the F-2 grades on some of the everyday patterns of day and night, the 4 seasons of the Southern Hemisphere and the effects the Sun and Moon have upon these ongoing patterns of change on our planet. 

The grade 3/4 students have looked at the way Earth's surface might change, based on the effcts of weathering, erosion and deposition on various landforms. Our experiments examined such processes in real time as we caused sand and soil erosion, and chemical and physical weathering using chalk and vinegar or sugar cubes to watch how objects might change.

In grade 5/6, we  have considered how the Earth might change when affected by various natural or man-made disasters, specifically floods, earthquakes and fires.

We spent some time designing and conducting experiments where we predicted the effects of floods on different environments, tried to build structures to withstand an earthquake using spaghetti and marshmallows and looked at the movement of fire based on the conditions we had constructed.

 Students can broaden their science interest by checking out the  'Question of the Week' on the science room door. These are questions from the students and have ranged  from Why is the sea salty? How do clouds form? What is the scientific name of lizards? What did dinosaurs eat? Why can't you tickle yourself and so much more.

It has been wonderful to see the development in our students in just one term of science so far this year. I am looking forward to more curiosity being piqued in our term 2 Biology unit Our Powerful Body. 

Remember to Be Curious and keep furthering your knowledge!