Science

Preps

The Preps have been learning about physics and how we can release potential energy in dominoes to push over the other dominoes. Students learned to space their dominoes correctly to form chain reactions.  We also made tall towers experimenting with different combinations of blocks.  We used our science enquiry skills to make visual and physical models, looking at patterns and sorted our data into an organiser to record our findings.

Grades 1 & 2

Our students have been learning that Australia's First Peoples have the longest continuing cultures on Earth and their innovations in science will amaze you.  From astronomy to engineering, chemistry to forensic science, bush medicine and more.  We have been covering both ancient and modern innovations.  Corey Tutt from Deadly Science has shared some valuable science resources in consultation with communities and elders. We are bringing the stories to life in the science room!

 Students have been exploring the first astronomers, engineers, forensic scientists, chemists, land managers, ecologists and are looking at a new generation of scientists. We are finishing our boomerang designs and will be making our wooden models in the next few weeks.

Grades 3 & 4

Students have been refining their coding skills using various program languages. Coding offers numerous benefits, including enhanced problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking skills. It also improves communication, collaboration, and can lead to increased career opportunities and a fulfilling career path in the future.

Coding is an important skill for students to learn.  There are many lines of code that have changed the world. The earliest line of code on the Apollo 11 mission that led to the success of the lunar mission.  'Hello to the world' of computer science,  are introductory activities that equips students with the basic coding skills and confidence to create apps.  It is simple program is a starting point for learning programming in many languages. It's a journey from zero to a capable programmer. 

We have been further investigating the impacts of plastic pollution on the world, examining real world examples of this pollution around the globe, including the effects of micro plastics and collected some data on what organisations are doing in the supply chain to reduce the impacts of plastic pollution.  Students are aware of the actions of local communities to address plastic pollution in their local areas and reviewed the positive impacts of Clean Up Australia Day.

Of course, you may have heard we have been making crystals in the science room!  The crystals have started to form and students made various shapes and sizes.

Grades 5 & 6

Students have been extending their coding skills further to invesigate technology in the science, computing, robotics, computer science and maths and science areas.  They have been practising their python, blockly and javascript coding skills and writing reviews of programs they have helped code such as Hello World, NASA's Space Jam, Build a 3D Solar System, Inventing with Scratch, Microsoft Save the Forest, and Outbreak Simulator.

We are continuing to investigate how changes to physical conditions such as salinity, soil types, sunlight and temperature affect plant growth.  Students have been developing their scenarios where they become a farmer managing their chosen crops, considering how environmental influences and issues in agriculture affect agricultural yields.  We have been closely following what is happening to crops in NSW, QLD and other states affected by droughts or flooding, which can impact the availability of food at the supermarkets.

In addition we completed our ice cream in a bag experiments in the science room.