Focus on Science

What We've Learnt & What's Next!

Foundation Students

In Term 3, Foundation students learnt about sound. They investigated how sound can make materials vibrate and vibrating materials can make sound. The students used different actions to produce sounds of varying pitch and volume. A favourite lesson was using popsicle sticks, elastic bands and straws to create a harmonica!

In Term 4, the Foundation students will be focusing on movement. They will be looking at how the movement of an object depends on a variety of factors including the size, shape and material. The Foundation students will be involved in many hands-on investigations to observe how toys move and compare the way different-sized, similar-shaped objects roll and bounce.

Grade 1 Students

In Term 3, students learnt about daily and seasonal changes in the weather and how Earth is one of eight planets in our solar system. Some favourite lessons were learning the names and order of the planets, and keeping a weather diary using symbols and words.

In Term 4, students will be focusing on Earth’s treasures. They will be looking at how taking care of Earth’s water, land and air involves consideration of reducing, re-using and recycling materials to conserve Earth’s resources.

Grade 2 Students

In Term 3, students learned about forces. They investigated how pushes and pulls are forces that can change an object’s movement. A favourite lesson of the Grade 2s was creating a toy car launcher and then testing to see if the distance a car travelled was affected by the force that they applied.

In Term 4, students will be using their knowledge of forces to create an arcade game. They have studied pushes, pulls and gravity, and will need to apply their understanding when following the design process to research, design, create and test their arcade game.

Grade 3 Students

In Term 3, students learned about the water cycle. They investigated the four main stages; evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection. Some favourite lessons for the Grade 3 students were watching their puddle evaporate and creating their own rain inside a ziplock bag!

In Term 4, students will be focusing on geology. They will be looking at how rocks, minerals and soils are important Earth resources and have observable properties that enable them to be used in a variety of ways. They will be conducting many hands-on investigations, looking at soils and rocks that can be found locally. 

Grade 4 Students

In Term 3, students learned about heat energy. They investigated how heat can be generated from different sources, as well as the effects of heat energy. A crowd favourite lesson was learning how corn kernels become popcorn!

In Term 4, students will be focusing on forces. They will be looking at different types of forces, including frictional, gravitational, electrostatic and magnetic, and how these can be exerted by one object on another through direct contact or from a distance.

Grade 5 Students

In Term 3, the students learned about the planets in the solar system. They investigated how the force of gravity keeps Earth and other planets in orbit around the Sun. The Grade 5 students particularly enjoyed learning about how Earth’s seasons are created, as well as creating a planet profile for a planet of their choosing.

In Term 4, students will be focusing on sudden and extreme changes to the Earth’s surface. They will be looking at how geological changes and extreme weather conditions can affect Earth’s surface and atmosphere. The Grade 5 students will investigate earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wildfires and floods, and how these can be reduced by human actions and technological innovations.

Grade 6 Students

In Term 3, students learned about electrical energy. They discovered that materials may be electrical insulators or conductors. The Grade 6 students thoroughly enjoyed this unit, stating that learning about and using electrical circuits has been their all time favourite Science lessons. In particular, finishing their term by creating solar/battery powered cars!

In Term 4, students will be focusing on light energy. They will be looking at how light can be produced from many sources. Grade 6 students will investigate how light travels in a straight path, can form shadows, and can be absorbed, transmitted, reflected or refracted by objects, through many hands-on investigations. 

Mariah Wylie

Science Teacher