Our sten showcase! (Step 5)
We had a wonderful afternoon exhibiting our work and experiments. From brilliant bridges to excellent electronics we all learned so much and had a great time! Afterwards each class had a turn to visit our exhibition and ask questions about the scientific and engineering processes involved in each student's work. Please see below for just some of the photos from today. Well done to all involved!
Science, technology, engineering and maths (stem)
For more information on the stem subjects please see;
http://www.primaryscience.ie/
http://www.primaryscience.ie/
Engineers at work! (Step 3)
Each group worked co-operatively to construct using different materials. The children discussed what they would make, how they would make it and which material would be suitable. They decided on a fairground, a farm and a large spaceship.
Each group worked co-operatively to construct using different materials. The children discussed what they would make, how they would make it and which material would be suitable. They decided on a fairground, a farm and a large spaceship.
School visit by dr. matthew kennedy and randal henly.(Steps 1 and 3)
We were very fortunate to be visited by Randal Henly, who showed us some marvelous chemistry and physics based experiments. We also welcomed Dr. Matthew Kennedy into the school during our Science Week. Dr Kennedy taught us an awful lot about energy conservation and what it is like being an engineer.
Terrific telescopes (Step 1)
5th and 6th have been investigating how we can enhance our view of things small or from a distance. We designed telescopes to help us in this area. Please enjoy some photographs of our experiment.
MATHS TRAIL WITH 3RD AND 4TH CLASS (Step 4)
Just before Easter break the class set off in to the yard for a maths trail. The children worked hard to find the shapes and angles they needed to find to complete the maths trail.
3RD AND 4TH CLASSINVESTIGATING GRAVITY AND WIND RESISTANCE (Step 1)
Some photographs of our class launching our parachutes from the hall and out the class window. This was to investigate the force of gravity and see the effects of wind resistance.
CONSTRUCTION OF MOATS AND BAILEYS
IN THIRD AND FOURTH CLASS (Step 1)
Magnificent Measuring (step 4)
First and Second class have been very busy measuring. We used different tools to measure, such as cubes, rulers, metre sticks and paper clips. We really enjoyed learning about how to measure and how to calculate the length of things.
At the beginning of this term we were learning about moats and baileys in history. Then we all had to plan, design and construct our own moats and baileys. We did this activity in groups and we all had great fun doing this.Here is some samples of our constructed moats and baileys. We used important engineering skills when designing our working draw bridges and defenses!
5th and 6th have been very busy carrying out a number of experiments. (Step 1)
1. Does fire need oxygen to burn?
To find out we got a candle, a box of matches, a saucer and a jar. We put the candle on the saucer and lit it. We then went and put the jar on top of the candle.
Result: The candle then went out.
The reason the candle went out was because we cut of the oxygen. We did that when we put the jar on top of the candle. It was then extinguished because there was nothing to feed the flame so it went out.
Conclusion: fire needs oxygen to burn when it doesn’t have oxygen it goes out.
2. Can air move around bends?
We all know that air can move in a straight line but can it travel around bends?
To find out, we placed a jar in front of a candle, then, we blew at the jar.
Result: Within a few seconds the candle was extinguished.
Conclusion: Air can not only move in a straight line but it can travel around corners and bends.
3. Does fast-moving air always push things out of its way?
In the next experiment we investigated if fast moving air pushed things out of its way.
To figure this out we taped two pieces of string to the end of two balloons and then to the frame of our door. After that, two volunteers from our class took turns in blowing hard at the gap in between the two balloons. This sudden and fast movement of air created a vacuum but when the volunteers stopped blowing the vacuums intensity died down quickly. The balloons stopped moving and went back to the way they were in the beginning.
Conclusion: Air creates a vacuum which moves things.
1. Does fire need oxygen to burn?
To find out we got a candle, a box of matches, a saucer and a jar. We put the candle on the saucer and lit it. We then went and put the jar on top of the candle.
Result: The candle then went out.
The reason the candle went out was because we cut of the oxygen. We did that when we put the jar on top of the candle. It was then extinguished because there was nothing to feed the flame so it went out.
Conclusion: fire needs oxygen to burn when it doesn’t have oxygen it goes out.
2. Can air move around bends?
We all know that air can move in a straight line but can it travel around bends?
To find out, we placed a jar in front of a candle, then, we blew at the jar.
Result: Within a few seconds the candle was extinguished.
Conclusion: Air can not only move in a straight line but it can travel around corners and bends.
3. Does fast-moving air always push things out of its way?
In the next experiment we investigated if fast moving air pushed things out of its way.
To figure this out we taped two pieces of string to the end of two balloons and then to the frame of our door. After that, two volunteers from our class took turns in blowing hard at the gap in between the two balloons. This sudden and fast movement of air created a vacuum but when the volunteers stopped blowing the vacuums intensity died down quickly. The balloons stopped moving and went back to the way they were in the beginning.
Conclusion: Air creates a vacuum which moves things.
Tremendous Teeth! (Step 1)
First and Second class were exploring the various types of teeth we have and how we use them. We even designed our bottom teeth using Plasticine to get a better insight into the different roles our teeth have when chewing.
Does gas take up space? (Step 1)
Our Science Club have been very busy investigating whether gas takes up space. If you cant't see it or touch it how can we possibly prove that it takes up space? Using straws, glycerin and washing up liquid we blew bubbles. As we blew more air into the bubbles they got bigger! We were even able to blow bubbles into our bubble. The bubbles were filled with the carbon dioxide we breathed out. Carbon dioxide or C02 is a gas so gas takes up space:) Here are some photos of us carrying out our experiment.
Can we design a boat that floats? (Step 3)
We decided to experiment with what materials would make a boat float? What materials are buoyant? Is there any way we can steer our boats? These were the two big questions that we attempted to answer.
Can we see evidence of spring? (Step 1)
It's just turned February but 1st and 2nd class are eager to see if we can see signs of spring in our school. There wasn't too much happening as it is still quite cold but we did see some flowers starting to grow.
Next station... st peter's national school! (Step 3)
Some students in First and Second class were very interested in designing a railway for our classroom. Where would the train stop and how would we negotiate any obstacles such as tables and chairs? Using KNEX, Lego and team work they answered these questions fantastically. Here are some photos - ALL ABOARD!
3rd and 4th class love our new laptops! (Step 2)
Science week! (Step 1)
Here are some more photos of our fantastic Science Week, including our experiments with Anyone4science and some of when Doctor Matt Kennedy visited our school to talk about the importance of energy conservation.
Ms. McCullen's Junior and Senior Infants had a fantastic time when "Anyone4Science" visited the school. Here are some photographs of their experiments. They learned about some of the differences between solids, liquids and gases.
And so did Mr Jenkinson's 1st and 2nd class :)
Measuring the weather. (Step 1)
First and Second class have been carrying out investigations on how to record the weather. We made Annemometres - which show us the wind's speed. Here are some photos of our work.
Helping the birds! (Step 1)
First and Second class have been learning about the different ways animals adapt to survive our winter. We decided to design and make bird feeders to help our local birdlife to survive during the cold months. Please see below for our photograps. They showed great inventivess to select honey as an adhesive for the seeds!
The Human Body. (Step 1)
First and Second Class have been learning all about the human anatomy. We investigated what are where our important body parts are. Look at the photos below to see our investigation.
3rd and 4th class investigate circuits (Step 1)
Recently the class has been discovering how an electrical circuit works and how to make one.
The Seniors EXPLORING sURFACE tENSION
Surface Tension
Have you ever wondered why insects can walk on water? Well to find out… my class went and did some experiments to investigate further.
Floating needle: In this experiment we used two bowls, two needles and a plastic fork.
We carried out the experiment by filling the bowl with water. After we put the needle in the bowl using our fingers. What do you think will happen, will it float or will it sink? In our experiment we found out that it sank. Next we got the fork and put the needle on top of it. Then we lowered the fork slowly into the bowl now do you think it will float or sink. We found out that it floated.
Facts The reason the second needle floated was because of surface tension. When you put the needle in with your hands you broke the surface tension. The surface tension is when tiny molecules join together and form sort of a skin on top of the water. The reason that the one with the fork worked was because the prongs on the fork broke the tension, but the gaps in between didn’t break the tension letting the needle float.
Conclusion: Surface tension is how the insects float.
The Upside-down experiment
In this experiment we used a cloth an elastic band and a jar full of water.
To carry out this experiment we soaked the cloth with water. Then we went and put the cloth over the jar. Then secure it with the elastic band and turn the jar upside down. What do you think will happen, will the water go through the cloth or will it not? The answer is… it doesn’t spill out of the cloth.
Facts: The reason why the water didn’t go through the cloth was because fabric, has all these little holes in it. The water filled those holes and created a surface tension so the water in the jar, could not go through the cloth. That is why up didn’t get soaked.
Conclusion: That is how umbrellas don’t let water through.
The Pepper Experiment: In this experiment we got a bowl full of water fairy liquid a lollipop stick and some pepper. Put the pepper into the bowl then put some fairy liquid onto the lollipop stick. Then put the stick with the fairy liquid into the bowl.
Result: The pepper moved away from the stick.
Facts: The reason this happened was because the fairy liquid made the surface of the water slippery so then the pepper slid away from the stick.
Conclusion: Pepper water and fairy liquid don’t mix.
Have you ever wondered why insects can walk on water? Well to find out… my class went and did some experiments to investigate further.
Floating needle: In this experiment we used two bowls, two needles and a plastic fork.
We carried out the experiment by filling the bowl with water. After we put the needle in the bowl using our fingers. What do you think will happen, will it float or will it sink? In our experiment we found out that it sank. Next we got the fork and put the needle on top of it. Then we lowered the fork slowly into the bowl now do you think it will float or sink. We found out that it floated.
Facts The reason the second needle floated was because of surface tension. When you put the needle in with your hands you broke the surface tension. The surface tension is when tiny molecules join together and form sort of a skin on top of the water. The reason that the one with the fork worked was because the prongs on the fork broke the tension, but the gaps in between didn’t break the tension letting the needle float.
Conclusion: Surface tension is how the insects float.
The Upside-down experiment
In this experiment we used a cloth an elastic band and a jar full of water.
To carry out this experiment we soaked the cloth with water. Then we went and put the cloth over the jar. Then secure it with the elastic band and turn the jar upside down. What do you think will happen, will the water go through the cloth or will it not? The answer is… it doesn’t spill out of the cloth.
Facts: The reason why the water didn’t go through the cloth was because fabric, has all these little holes in it. The water filled those holes and created a surface tension so the water in the jar, could not go through the cloth. That is why up didn’t get soaked.
Conclusion: That is how umbrellas don’t let water through.
The Pepper Experiment: In this experiment we got a bowl full of water fairy liquid a lollipop stick and some pepper. Put the pepper into the bowl then put some fairy liquid onto the lollipop stick. Then put the stick with the fairy liquid into the bowl.
Result: The pepper moved away from the stick.
Facts: The reason this happened was because the fairy liquid made the surface of the water slippery so then the pepper slid away from the stick.
Conclusion: Pepper water and fairy liquid don’t mix.
5th and 6th class designing bridges
5th & 6th made different types of bridges out of paper. After they designed their own bridges with whatever materials they wanted. We definitely have some upcoming engineers in the class!!!!
