Science News

What makes materials different? Why are some materials used for certain purposes and not others? Students in years 1 and 2 have been exploring the answers to these questions in different ways this term. We compared and contrasted different material properties using a Venn diagram and more recently they have learned about how materials properties change. To develop their science skills they conducted a two part experiment looking at the affect of salt on ice. Students were guided through designing an experiment with two conditions, a control of just ice and a test condition of ice with salt. After writing down a prediction about what might happen students then recorded their observations of the changes in the ice and made comparisons between the two conditions.

In our follow up lesson, students were given an explanation of why the salt makes the ice melt and the real world applications of this principal. They were then given a challenge that required them to apply their understanding. Students had to pick up a piece of ice on a thin piece of string using only salt. The students demonstrated an eagerness to use their newly found understanding and got to work observing and innovating their approach to this challenge. It was wonderful to see them so eagerly engaging with the science and using both their analytical and creative thinking.