Science Week 2024

eyfs:

The children investigated the importance of taking our time when washing our hands. We performed an experiment using glitter, soap and water. The biodegradable glitter represented the germs. We watched as they moved quickly away from our freshly washed hands compared to how they stuck to our fingers before we used soap.

Reception children have also been looking at how time passes over the year by learning about the 4 seasons. They made season wheels using split pins and paper.

year 1/2:

This year we investigated animals, their variations and how they adapt to their environment over time.  We looked at a variety of different moths and then made our own thinking about the different environments we have around school they could use as a habitat.  We played a game where we flew our moths around the playground then when I called habitats the moths flew to their habitats.  I as the predator had 30 seconds to find as many moths as I could.  We really enjoyed the process and learnt a lot about habitats, camouflage, and adaptations.  We also took part in a National Farmers workshop looking at the role of a farmer and all the jobs they must do.  

year 3/4:

Year 3 & 4 have been learning about a plant’s life cycle, so we have made some plant cycle collages. They are all individual but show all the stages in the correct order. We have investigated how to make biodegradable plastic using just four ingredients. We had to measure each very carefully to achieve the correct mix and work as a team. We have also counted lots of plastic waste in our homes and recorded this as part of ‘The big plastic count.’ The results are part of a large country-wide study to find out our carbon footprints and reveal how much plastic waste there is.

We watched an online lesson about the work of a farm vet. The children enjoyed learning about the digestive system of a cow, feeding and checking the health of an animal and even saw a calf being born. They also found the importance of cow dung in supporting a micro habitat and how this further supports and feeds the food chains of wildlife in the area.  

year 5/6:

For Science Week, with the overarching theme of "time," the year 5/6 pupils delved into the fascinating world of pendulums. They learned about the principles governing these oscillating objects and were given the exciting opportunity to construct their own pendulums. Embracing the concept of fair testing, the pupils began to investigate how they could manipulate the swing of their pendulums using air resistance. They methodically varied the size of the card attached to the pendulum, observing, and recording the effects on the oscillation period.

The culmination of their inquiry was a captivating challenge: using a piece of card, the children had to create enough air resistance to precisely halt the pendulum's motion after 30 seconds. While some pupils came tantalizingly close to achieving this goal, the process fostered critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and an appreciation for the interplay between science and real-world applications.