Year 3 Spotlight

Change of States in Matter – Inquiry Focus

This term, Year 3 students have been studying the Change of States in Matter between solids, liquids and gases. To support their understanding of science, we have been focusing on weekly experiments and  looking at the independent and dependent variables. The students are enjoying the hands-on learning and watching the changes occurring during each experiment.

Inquiry Introduction

This term we are learning about states of matter.

We learnt about gases, solids and liquids and we’ve tried fun experiments.

We learnt about atoms and how they can change a solid into a liquid and a gas.

~ By Cleo and Ayla

Melting ice cube experiment

For the melting ice cube experiment we got into pairs then our teacher would give us the ice cubes. Then we melted the ice cubes to try to find which student used the fastest method to melt the ice cube. And the student who used the fastest method was Ruben and Isabelle! Their method was stomping on it. How it worked was when they stomped on it went into smaller bits so the little bits melted faster. When you break it up more of the ice is touching air. The atoms spread apart which made it melt into a liquid. We learnt that heating can change the state of matter.

~By Navy & Alex

Balloon experiment

Recently we did a balloon experiment with vinegar and bicarb soda. We filled the balloon with bicarb soda, then sealed it on to a bottle filled with vinegar. As soon as the bicarb soda hit the vinegar, the chemical reaction between the two ingredients created a carbon dioxide inside the bottle, which caused the balloon to get bigger.

~ By Livi and Bethany

Here are some photos of the experiments and reports created by Year 3 students.

~ Year 3 Teachers (Michele, Monique & Brendan) and Students