Science Rotations - Thinking like a Scientist

Our 'Think like a scientist' Inquiry started with an experiment rotation today. We learnt about the Earth's mantle and magma, landforms and erosion, liquid density and sedimentary rock. We recorded our observations, wonderings and predictions in our books.

We are all really excited about this Inquiry! We'll be connecting to other ideas like mapping and the environment. We'll learn about famous scientists and the many challenges they've faced. Of course, we'll carry out our own investigations and experiments, too.

Science is Everywhere!

As the holidays are being brought forward, there will be no timetable for Home Learning posted. Having said this we understand the need for children (and their parents) to stay active and engaged so we will be posting an alternative Holiday Programme with a few ideas of things you can do at home if you choose to. We know the importance of staying connected socially so we have added some slides for you to add to.

Science Slides: Share your Science experiments with everyone on these slides. Jenny’s mum and dad (Sue and John) are retired Science teachers and can answer Science questions that you have.

Exploring water and making (silent) fireworks.

Here's a neat experiment that explores what happens when oil and water meet.

You will need:

• A big glass bowl filled with water
• A mixing jug
• Measuring spoons
• A mixing spoon
• Food colouring: two colours, if possible
• Cooking oil
• A piece of white paper
• Safety goggles are definitely optional - but an apron might be a good idea in case things get messy!

First, measure out one tablespoon of oil and put it into the jug.

 Next, add a few drops of food colouring.

Mix the oil and the food colouring together.

Carefully pour the oil and food colouring mixture onto the top of the water.



















Now it's time to watch carefully. Hold the piece of paper behind the bowl. Watch as the food colouring blobs burst and sink through the water.

Mix up a second tablespoon of oil with a different food colouring. Add this to the bowl for two colours of 'fireworks'. Enjoy the show!

Things to think and talk about:

What patterns can you see in the water?

What is happening to the food colouring?

What happens to the oil? Can you think why?

Try gently blowing the oil bubbles. What happens?

What happens when two colours mix together?

Can you predict what colour fireworks you will get if you add different combinations of food colouring? Red and yellow? Blue and yellow? Blue and red?









Have fun playing with this experiment and please do share your ideas and firework photos on Seesaw and on our slides.




Dye Experiment

Which Paper Plane Will Travel The Furthest?

For our Inquiry, we have made paper planes. Which one will travel the furthest? What makes a good paper plane?

We wrote prediction, observations and explanations (POE) to document what happened.



Greer T Hayley Henry and Nikora: We saw that Hugo's plane went further because his plane was more aerodynamic.

Hugo and Liam: Our observation was that Hugo's paper plane had the straitest folds and was slick! It went fast because it had a good throw!

Griffin, Kirsty, Ollie and Orla: Hugo's plane went the fastest and went the furthest because his sides were even and he knew how to throw it and had lots of force.

You can read more about the activity:  https://www.education.com/activity/article/Paper_Airplane_high/