Science

Communicating with the Specialist Team

We look forward to partnering with you in 2024, and welcome your input:

Hayley Oliver (Science)  Hayley.Oliver@education.vic.gov.au

Congratulations and Thank you

Firstly, I’d like to thank the students who applied for the role of Science captain this year, it’s so wonderful knowing we have students that are willing to give up their time to help out and are excited to share their ideas, with me and their peers.

A huge congratulations to Alfie and Tal who not only consistently demonstrate our school values in Science lessons, but also demonstrated week after week that they have a really keen interest in Science and will be a huge asset to me this year too. I am looking forward to working with you both, this year. 

Level 3/4 Learning:

The grade 3/4 students have continued to explore solids and liquids over the last few weeks. They have learnt about the Scientific Method and put it to practise when they were experimenting with different insulation to keep ice cubes solid. Each group was given 4 ice cubes and they had to choose 4 different places to put their ice cube in, including, but not limited to, hands, mouth, black bags, paper towel, material towel, foil. Every 5 minutes (over a 20 minute period) they checked to see how much each ice cube had melted. By the end of the 20 minutes the students could tell which type of material was a good insulator and which was not so great. They have then used this knowledge to help them with their planning for their icy pole challenge, which will be happening next week. 

Level 5/6 Learning:

The students in Grade 5/6 have continued their learning about reversible and irreversible changes. They have studied different types of changes and had a go at categorising them, such as, burning, freezing, melting, heating, rust and more. They then combined bi carb soda and vinegar into a bottle with a balloon on top. The students were all pretty impressed that those two ingredients could blow up a balloon and blow out a candle. We discussed how in this instance a solid (bi carb) and a liquid (vinegar) created a new substance, being the gas and how that is a clue that a change might be irreversible. There has been some really engaging discussions from the 5/6 students about these types of changes. This has all been to ensure the students are ready for their portfolio task next week.

This week, 5/6C were also able to explore the pH level of different liquids, by pouring red cabbage water into a range of substances, such as; vinegar, dishwashing liquid, washing powder, water, milk and tomato sauce and watching them change colour. From this, students discovered how Scientists test if a substance is classified as either an acid or a base. 

Robocup

We are excited to be able to have the opportunity to enter the Robocup Jr competition for another year. We will be opening up expressions of interest for Grade 5/6 students to join our 2024 school Robocup team shortly. Please keep an eye on compass for this exciting event and more information.