Science

This term we are exploring the field of Biological Science across all levels in the school. Each area will have a different but related topic of study and investigation. 

Biology is the study of living things. 

A biologist is a scientist who studies biology. 

Biologists try to understand the natural world and the things that live in it. 

These things include plants, animals, fungi, algae, bacteria, and viruses. 

The study of biology covers many areas.

Foundation will be looking at a unit called Staying Alive - All animals, including humans, use their sensory organs to gather information about their environment. 

The sharp eye, the cocked ear, or the careful sniffing of air can warn animals of dangers that might threaten their survival.

 Humans use senses to gather information not only critical for our immediate safety, but also for planning to meet our basic needs for things such as food, water and shelter.

The unit for Grades 1/2 is Schoolyard Safari, and the children are very keen to actually go exploring our school on a safari!

The world is teeming with animal life. 

Even the most unexpected places can host a diverse range of creatures. 

As humans, we share our wonderful planet with many other animals. 

Taking the time to really look at another species can provide a window into the similarities and differences among living beings, and can help us to appreciate how we are all part of a single, gloriously complex ecological system.

Grades 3/4 began this term with a look at some of the trees in our school, and identified characteristics of the eucalypt trees in the Peaceful Gardens. 

Our unit is called Among the Gumtrees - 

Eucalypts are an important feature of Australian life, with over 900 species found in almost every corner of the nation. 

Eucalypts have adapted to survive both drought and bushfire - some rely on extreme heat or smoke to release and germinate seeds. 

Eucalypts provide shelter and food to many native animals, and some species are the sole food source for koalas. 

Finally, Grades 5/6 will look at how salinity affects farming in Australia.

Their unit, called Rising salt, considers that our very survival depends on a reliable source of natural resources, including food. 

Primary industries use their knowledge of how physical conditions of the environment affect the growth and survival of living things to ensure good yields. 

However they are faced with new environmental challenges, such as rising salinity and changing weather patterns, which provide a highly relevant context in which to investigate how living things are affected by such changes.

We have an exciting and interesting term of Science ahead of us which I hope the children will enjoy.