Science Week

These photographs demonstrate some of the learning that has taken place during Science Week better than any words could!

Children have spent the week exploring and revisiting a range of experiments that supported the children in developing the skills of observation, sharing talk, making predictions, using specific vocabulary, following instructions, making hypotheses and instilling awe and wonder in the children! 

1) Chemical reactions and a change of state were demonstrated very effectively with the Ice Cream Making Experiment- children followed recipes to mix rock salt and ice with sugar and flavouring. They shook the ingredients and created ice cream! Children observed how the ingredients reacted together when they were shaken vigorously! They also tasted some of the delicious end product!

2) Paper Rocket Experiment! Children saw how the pressure of air can be strong and thrust objects. Plastic milk bottles were left with the lid off so they filled with air. Children made a lightweight, cone-shaped, paper rocket and placed it over the open bottle neck. They then clapped their hands together with force on the sides of the plastic bottle and WHOOOOOOOSH! The rockets flew into the air. Children were amazed! The air was pushed out with force and the pressure sent the paper rocket into the sky!

3) Volcano Experiment - children mixed ingredients and observed an exciting chemical reaction.  Firstly children looked at photographs of volcanoes: dormant and erupting. Shazna explained that when volcanoes are dormant, they are asleep and when they are erupting, they are awake. Children watched a short video of an active volcano which was noisy! Children mixed bicarbonate of soda with food dye and then poured in vinegar. They observed and used their senses and noticed the mixture fizzed and bubbled. Then it erupted like lava from a volcano! Look at he expressions on their faces! 

Here are a few science experiments you could do with your child at home. Remember never leave children alone when doing this.