Science

This term, students across all year levels have been exploring the exciting world of Physical Sciences. Through hands-on investigations, design challenges and creative projects, students have developed their understanding of how forces, light, sound, heat and electricity work in the world around them. It has been fantastic to see their curiosity, creativity and problem-solving skills shine throughout these engaging learning experiences.

Prep:

Our Prep students explored how objects move, investigating how shape, size and materials can affect motion. They became young designers, creating their own objects and testing how quickly and how far they could travel down a hill. Through trial and error, students began to understand how different design choices can influence movement in fun and exciting ways.

Level 1:

Level 1 students investigated sound and vibrations by designing and creating their own musical instruments. They explored how to produce soft and loud sounds, as well as high and low pitches, by experimenting with different materials and techniques. To extend their learning, students used GarageBand to explore digital sound and vibrations, showcasing their creativity and musical understanding.

Level 2:

In Level 2, students explored push and pull forces and how they can create movement. They applied their knowledge by designing and building their own Rube Goldberg machines, combining creativity with problem-solving. Students also worked with LEGO Spike Essentials, further developing their understanding of forces through hands-on coding and engineering challenges.

Level 3:

Level 3 students investigated heat transfer and how energy from the sun can be used in practical ways. They designed and built solar ovens, learning how heat can be trapped and used for cooking. When the weather didn’t cooperate, students adapted by creating convection ovens, demonstrating resilience and a deeper understanding of how heat moves through air.

Level 4:

Our Level 4 learners explored a wide range of forces by designing their own car courses. They incorporated concepts such as push, pull, gravity, attraction, repulsion, and contact and non-contact forces to influence motion. Students also used Spheros to investigate how friction and other forces affect movement, combining technology with scientific inquiry.

Level 5:

Level 5 students brought science and creativity together by designing their own shadow puppet plays. They applied their understanding of light, including how shadows are formed and changed, to create engaging performances. This project allowed students to demonstrate their scientific knowledge in a creative and collaborative way.

Level 6:

In Level 6, students explored electrical energy by designing and building their own squishy circuits. They experimented with creating both series and parallel circuits, learning how different configurations affect the flow of electricity. Through hands-on investigation, students gained a deeper understanding of how circuits work while developing their problem-solving and design skills.

Looking Ahead:

Next term, students will begin exploring Chemical Sciences, where they will investigate how materials can change and interact in different ways. We look forward to another term of rich learning experiences. We hope all families have a safe, relaxing and well-deserved school holiday break.