Science Education
Julie Garbutt: jgarbutt@srprestonwest.catholic.edu.au
St Raphael's School
Foundation
Students are learning that a push and a pull affects how things move.
Students experienced and discussed moving their bodies in different ways by playing 'Musical statues', 'Simon says' and 'Moving Mirrors'. Students also observed toys that move; and described the ways in which they move, like 'push' and 'pull', and the parts that make the toy move, like the 'round wheels'.
Year 1/2
Students are learning that living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves.
In each science lesson, students observe and record the growth and changes of their mealworms. Students also matched pictures of eggs with their parents and arranged the life stages of different animals in order.
Year 3/4
In the Package it Better unit, students are learning that natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties which can influence their use.
Students identified design criteria for their package which must protect a fragile dried flower, including that it must be made of environmentally responsible materials and able to protect the flower. Students then designed and planned their package to meet those criteria. Students then constructed their package according to their plan.
Year 5/6
Through the Marvellous micro-organisms unit, students are learning that the growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment.
Students reflected on the conditions needed to make yeast grow and then represented their knowledge of how bread is made using a flowchart. Students also learnt about mould, another micro-organism, including observing penicillin through the microscope and moulds growing on petri dishes and samples.
