Science Education
Julie Garbutt: jgarbutt@srprestonwest.catholic.edu.au
St Raphael's School
Specialists Superstars Award
A big congratulations to 3/4H on winning the inaugural St Raphael's Specialist Superstars Award for Term 1. Congratulations also to 5/6D, who came in at second place, and 3/4M who placed third.
Students in 3/4H consistently demonstrated exemplary attitudes, behaviours and effort in all specialist classes. 3/4H will proudly display the trophy in their classroom for Term 2 and requested science for their bonus specialist lesson.
3/4H firstly observed a simple chemical reaction using common household substances (bicarb and vinegar). Then students used this same reaction to launch rockets. Everyone had a great time.
Foundation
Students are learning that a push and a pull affects how things move.
Students predicted, observed then drew things that move in the classroom and in the school yard.
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 created clay models of the life stages of mealworms and described the growth and survival of mealworms at different life stages.
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.
After reviewing the design brief, students made their package. The following week students evaluated their package reflecting on what criteria the package needed to meet, what they have learned about selecting materials for making things and what they would change about their package next time.
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 engaged with a factual recount describing how an investigation into mould led to the development of penicillin. Students also observed pencillium (a mould fungi) through the microscope. Students reflected on their learning and knowledge gained through this unit, including a 3-2-1 reflection (3 things I learnt, 2 things I found interesting, 1 question I still have) and quiz.