Science

This term in Science we are focusing on Earth Science. 

The study of the Earth’s structure, properties, processes and four and a half billion years of biotic evolution!

The four basic areas of Earth Science study are geology (the primary Earth Science - looks at how the Earth formed, it’s structure and composition and the types of processes acting on it) ,meteorology (the study of the atmosphere, atmosphere phenomena, and atmospheric effects on our weather), oceanography (the study of all things oceanic - marine life and ecosystems, currents and waves, movement of sediments and seafloor geology) and astronomy (the study of everything in the universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere including the Sun, Moon, planets and stars)

Foundation Science   

Weather in my world

Each day the weather affects our work and leisure activities. 

The weather influences our decisions about what to wear and the things we do. 

Severe weather phenomena such as droughts, floods and cyclones have serious impacts on communities. 

Horticulture, farming, fishing and tourism are highly dependent on weather. 

The accurate prediction of weather patterns and interpretation of weather forecasts are very important to our economy and lifestyle.

Students' beliefs and understanding about the air, Sun and wind will be developed as they work through hands-on activities. 

Through investigations, they will increase their knowledge of how the characteristics of weather affect their daily lives.

Grades 1/2 Science                 

Water works  

Water is essential to life. 

As humans, we not only drink water, we use it for cooking, hygiene, recreation and agriculture.

Australia is a dry continent with an expanding population, and how we use water has become increasingly important. 

Water is a precious resource.  

This unit provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of, and appreciation for, a precious natural resource. 

Through investigations, students explore how water is used, where water comes from and how to use it responsibly

 Grades 3/4 Science                 

 Night and day

What causes night and day? 

The rising of the Sun and the Moon are daily reminders of the awe and wonder, beauty and power of the universe. 

Studying the relationships between the Sun, Earth and Moon helps us understand how we experience day and night on Earth.

It also helps us understand directions in terms of North, South, East and West, how time is based on the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky and how time can be determined using a sundial.

Students explore the sizes, shapes, positions and movements of the Sun, Earth and Moon. They investigate how shadows change throughout the day and link these changes to the Sun’s apparent movement across the sky.

Students role-play the movements of the Earth in relation to the Sun and Moon. 

Through investigations, they explain night and day in terms of the Earth spinning on its axis. 

Grades  5/6  Science                           

Creators and destroyers

The surface of our Earth is slowly moving and changing over time. On average, a volcanic eruption occurs somewhere on Earth each week.

Volcanic eruptions are often seen as devastating events causing destruction, but they are also instrumental in creating new islands and adding to the continents while providing rich fertile soils and mineral deposits.

Through hands-on investigations, students explore the structure and formation of volcanoes, and plan and conduct an investigation of the viscosity of magma and its relation to volcano shapes.