Learning and Teaching

Science Week

This week is Science Week. As I wrote in last week’s newsletter, Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. It aims to provide an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of scientists, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professionals, innovators, designers and entrepreneurs to the world of science. It also aims to encourage an interest in science and STEM among the public.

Across our Learning Communities, all the students were lucky enough to participate in some science experiments. As part of the experiments, the students used their Science Inquiry skills of making a hypothesis by questioning and predicting; planning and conducting; recording and processing; they thought about what they learnt by analysing and evaluating; and communicated their findings to each other.

Prep - Lava Lamp and Skittle Science

The Preps had a great time making Lava Lamps and watching the Skittles react with the water and sugar.

Year 1 and 2 - Lava Lamp and Tornado in a Bottle

The Lava Lamps in Year 1 and 2 worked out amazingly! The mini-scientists in the Learning Community were able to explain why the different materials reacted the way they did. 

Year 3 and 4 - STEM Parachute

A key part of STEM is the design process. Students ask, imagine, plan, create, test, and improve their creations. There were so many great engineers on show in the Year 3 and 4 Community!

Year 5 and 6 - Fireworks in a Jar

The students in Year 5 and 6 focused on the concept of Liquid Density. Objects and liquids float on liquids of a higher density and sink through liquids of lower density. They investigated to see if food colouring would mix with water and oil 

Deborah Courtney

Director of Learning and Teaching