Great Ocean Science Day

As part of the science day, Year 5 first explored the different forms ‘models’ can take, and their uses.

After exploring the context of corals being bleached, the children then agreed on a key question to be modelled. With this in mind, the children wrote predictions on what they thought would happen to the colour of the skittles when the water temperature was changed.

The children the set up their model, making sure they used the same amount of skittles and water each time. The children tried to accurately time when the water was poured and when all the colour met in the middle.

With their findings, the children created graphs to visualise the patterns and anomalies that occurred.

The children wrote conclusions on their findings, and wrote up evaluations for the model itself and their modelling.

Year 5 shared their modelling with Year 2!

Properties and Changes of Materials

The children explored the thermal conducting and insulating properties of various materials by experimenting to see which material could retain the heat in a container for the longest period.

The children then explored what affected the dissolving of a solute with sugar cubes. In groups, the children decided on a question to explore, and formed the methods themselves. Then then independently completed their experiment and evaluated the efficacy of it.

We then looked at chemical changes and how these form irreversible changes. We tested several solutions to see what changes would occur.

To conclude the materials unit, the children explored two scientists, Stephanie Kwolek and Ruth Benerito, who invented Kevlar and wrinkle-free cotton, respectively. 

Great Science Share

The children investigated the acidification of the ocean due to carbon dioxide in the air. As part of this, the children used cabbage water as a natural pH indicator and tested several solutes to determine which were acidic and which were basic. The children tested things like vinegar, indigestion medicine and citric acid, and looked at for any changes that occurred with the solutions.

To physically see that we expel carbon dioxide when we breath, we breathed into the cabbage pH water.