Science

In the science room...

Grade 5/6 Students have explored the general climate of each planet in our solar system. Groups recorded the climate of their project planet and begun painting a model with key features of the planet they have chosen. Many groups were surprised to learn that up to Earth, each planets average temperatures were a warm positive degree Celsius, whereas from Mars onward each planet's average temperatures were cold and in the negative degrees Celsius! 

Grade 3/4 Students explored how Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples use rocks for a range of practical purposes. Their knowledge of geology allowed them to choose rocks and minerals specific to the tools they intended to make such as spear heads (flaked stones), grinding rocks, and jewellery.  

Grade 2 Students learned that people all around the world have varying levels of access to clean, drinkable water. Students considered how much water they may use on a typical day and compared this to the average water consumption of other countries. They learned that some people only have access to an average of 15 litres a day.  Students also considered ways they can reduce their water consumption and protect this precious Earth resource. 

Grade 1 Students explored Earth's day/night cycle and how the position of the Earth, Sun and Moon affect our experiences on earth. They used a moon box to view the moon from different angles, representing different times of the month. This helped them understand that the shape of the moon that we see at night is due to the sun reflecting off the moon and its current place in orbit around the Earth.

Preps practiced making predictions before completing an experiment which simulated how rain clouds work. Preps were very excited to see the large glass of water with shaving cream on top representing rain clouds. Blue dye was dropped into the clouds until they gathered and became too heavy. The shaving cream then released the drops of blue dye into the water, allowing students to marvel at the swirls and streaks of blue dye curling to the bottom of the glass, until the entire jar was blue. Students then compared the results to their predictions and discussed the similarities and differences.

In the Garden...

Our tomato plants are growing like crazy, and some have started producing red cherry tomatoes. Some of the sunflowers we planted at the end of last year have started blooming which brings smiles and joy to students and teachers alike. There is no happier flower then a sunflower! The purple cabbage we planted last winter has now pushed out new shoots and the lettuce we have are producing lots of flowers which will soon become seeds. We will harvest these and send some home with our garden club attendees as soon as they are ready.

And remember mighty scientists; look closely, ask freely, and seek answers to Earth's cool and crazy wonders! 

Mrs Taylor