ASPIRE

Visual Arts

We've had a super busy term in Art, playing with colour and texture! The students have been really engaged with finding new ways to express themselves.

We have reached maximum capacity with boxes, etc. At the moment we don't need anymore but will be sure to let you know when we do! Thanks to all parents and students who have brought materials in over the last term. It is certainly much appreciated.

Science

Science over the last few weeks has been nothing short of amazing! We have continued our journey of learning into the chemical sciences which has provided a tonne of fun and lots of opportunity to build our inquiry skills!

Foundation have been busy learning about different materials and their features. Blindfolded, each student had a turn of reaching into a bag and using their materials knowledge could identify whether the object was made of glass, plastic, wood or paper. They have used practical activities to learn about waterproof and non-waterproof items. Using this knowledge each student created a waterproof garden sculpture. Those kids sure are great scientists!

Not to be outdone the Junior students have continued their inquiry into mixtures and whether they can be separated or not. It's been a lot of fun using different methods to test this. The ultimate mixture lesson had to be making chocolate crackles! 

The Middle School students have been eating their experiments too! Their whole unit has been based around designing a package to transport a fragile item and to make sure it could withstand an impact. They have tested materials strengths, flexibility and impact resistance. Using a biscuit as their model they have each designed and built a package. Upon testing it for impact resistance they had to open it and then, of course, eat it.

The students in Senior School have been looking at mixtures too but their focus has been on reversibility verses irreversibility and whether a change is chemical or physical. This week their inquiry focus has been on creating and conducting a fair test to observe the speed with which Alka-Seltza can dissolve in various water temperatures. They discovered that it takes far longer in cold water! Next week they will have their turn at eating their experiment when we dive into the world of popcorn and test to see whether that change is reversible or irreversible. Personally, I'm really looking forward to that one!