Science
Over the past few weeks, as part of our Earth and Space Science focus this term, students have been learning about Earth’s features and changes to these over time. These have included regular changes that impact our Earth such as day and night and the seasons, as well as natural slow changes such as weathering and erosion, sudden geological changes and natural disasters such as cyclones, volcanoes and earthquakes, extreme weather conditions such as drought and fire as well as changes due to Earth’s land and atmosphere due to human impact, both negative such as pollution and positive such as reforestation and sustainable energy use. In doing so we have explored the impact of these changes on the land, the atmosphere and living things.
This week we focused particularly on natural disasters by creating simulations of these. This was a lot of fun! We explored how they occur and the effect they can have on Earth. Students predicted what would happen prior to carrying out the simulation/experiment. They then selected one to complete a report on. Next session they will be employing their scientific inquiry skills through reflecting on the purpose of the simulation/experiment, the process of carrying out the investigation and their findings and learnings.
Students have also been busy making their own mini Earths! Each Earth contains each student’s own hand print, displaying an act they would like to continue to carry out to help take care of our home, our planet Earth. Check these out in the school office foyer! Great effort students!
Over the coming weeks we will move onto exploring Earth’s resources, and the importance of looking after these, before we take a step back and focus on the behaviour of Earth as a planet (rotation and revolution) as well space beyond in our Solar System.
Clare Grainger
Science & PE Specialist Teacher