Numeracy

Numeracy in Science

This week I visited Science with Mr Pousoulis where students in Year 8D were completing a report based on making a milk polymer from milk and were required to complete a scientific report.

Students had already completed a pre experiment to create a polymer plastic from milk. The students were given a list of materials which they had to use Numeracy to measure correctly using the measuring cylinder:

• 50 mL full cream milk
• Clean wash cloth
• Vinegar
• 1 beaker
• Funnel
• 1 measuring cylinder
• Scales
• Teaspoon
• 60°C water bath

They then had a step by step method to follow to produce the plastic.

Students then had the task of  improving the product by:

1. Maximising the amount of product (by weight) that can be produced from 50 mL of milk.
2. Improve the consistency of the product so that no cracks appear in the final dried buttons.

Students were provided with the following cost of items used in the experiment:

Students then repeated the experiment by varying the amount and hence cost of the experiment. Their goal was to use their Numeracy skills to maximise the weight of the plastic for minimum cost. Students are now at the stage of writing up their reports.

Students have a Science Report Book. On the back of this is many Mathematical conversions to help students with Measurement. 

Students then completed a Scientific report with this analysis. It is great to see Mr Pousoulis teaching students how to use Numeracy in their Science reports. 

Michelle Galli

Numeracy Learning Specialist