Beech Class visit QMC
In Science we have been investigating the seasonal changes that occur within our environment. To support this we enjoyed a visit to QMC Science Department to learn more.
Click here to find out more about Beech Class.
Identifying Trees
We went outside and identified trees around the grounds at QMC. We used a flow diagram to help us to determine the types of tree. Then we went off spotting the trees, taking bark rubbing and plastercine impressions of the bark. We were lucky as Mrs Jordan then put our rubbings into some plaster of Paris so we could bring them back with us. Pop into Beech class and see some of our experiments on display.
Miss MacDonald
Ice investigations
One of the activities that the children participated was a series of investigations into ice. They were thinking about the impact of icy weather on the roads and wildlife. The children put out two ice cubes and sprinkled one with salt to see why we sprinkle salt on the roads in icy conditions. They found that the salt covered ice melted faster. They looked at whether ice sinks or floats, whether the amount of space (volume) that water takes up got bigger or smaller when it turned to ice and finally they used pipettes as pretend bird beaks to try and suck up water from a frozen pond. The children felt it was very important that birds and animals should find unfrozen water in the winter to help them survive.
Mrs Wood
Seasonal Changes
The focus of the groups in the science garden was to explore the changes happening between the seasons. To do this the groups used the weather station equipment to record lowest and highest temperatures , rainfall and wind speed. They also measured the temperature of the pond and soil in the flower beds before looking for evidence around the garden to determine the season. The groups collected leaves and using magnifying glasses tried to study them, made guesses as to whether they were evergreen or deciduous and why.
Mrs Wells
Weather Equipment
Our group made 4 different pieces of weather equipment. To determine wind direction we made a weather vane and a beautifully decorated wind sock. Carefully using our measuring skills we made a rain catcher with a gauge up the side to see how much rain water we could collect and finally we investigated how people told the time before clocks were invented using a sun dial.
All of these pieces of equipment were made out of 'junk'. Why not ask your child/ren to show you how to make one?
Mrs Lavender
