Our trip to the Garden Centre

Primary 1 have been learning all about the Garden Centre. To bring our learning to life we visited Nurseries Direct Garden Centre at Stair. This provided us with a valuable opportunity to see the features of the garden centre and the role of the staff members.

We learned about plug plants

Robert took us around the greenhouses and told us all about the plants and flowers. He even took us to see the ‘dinosaur plant’. It was also known as a ‘monkey puzzle tree’ but he calls it a dinosaur plant because they have been around for many years. We liked to see it but not touch it becuase it was very spiky.

We were glad it wasn't a real dinosaur lurking in the Garden Centre. It was a Monkey Puzzle tree instead. Phew!
Robert taught us about the different types of compost.
We were impressed by all the different types of seeds.

Margo took us around the inside of the Garden Centre. We learned that the Garden Centre does not just sell flowers and plants. She showed us garden tools, pet supplies, bird feeders, gifts, books, toys, ornaments and much much more. We couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw all the packets of seeds. There were thousands. We learned that some plants can only be planted during certain months and that some need to be planted in different areas of your garden. We bought sunflower seeds to grow back in school.

We liked the farmyard garden ornaments.
We had to be careful near the garden tools as they were all very sharp. Margo told us how some of the tools are used.

After our tour of the Garden Centre we headed to the coffee shop for our snack. We enjoyed milk and shortbread. Many of the children thought this was the highlight of the trip!!

Bailey, Demilea, Callum and Carmen gave Miss Davers the thumbs up as they enjoy their milk and shortbread in the coffee shop. Delicious!
Haili, Rebecca, Emily and Ami are having a great time in the coffee shop.
We bought plants to take back to school. Haili and Rebecca enjoyed carrying the basket together with our lettuce plants.

We had an excellent time at the Garden Centre. Thanks to all at Nurseries Direct! Keep an eye on our blog to see how we become “green fingered!”

Engineers of the future – K’nex

 

All pupils in Primary 6 across the Learning Partnership have been learning the basics of structural design and technology using K’nex. The schools then hosted their own school’s challenge and the winning pairs headed off to Kilmarnock Academy for the Partnership challenge – a closely guarded secret until the event.

 

Design an Astro-Fitness machine!

The scenario

It is very important for astronauts to stay fit and healthy but that can be difficult in space. Zero gravity means that astronauts float around the spacecraft, without using their muscles or burning any energy. Spacecraft must be fitted with specialised exercise machines that allow the astronauts to train in zero gravity. The astronauts are relying on you to design and make a model of a running machine that can be used in space from your K’Nex.

The challenge:

To build a running machine for the astronauts.  The exercise machine must let the astronaut run continuously but remember, room is limited on the shuttle.

Your machine must:

  • Be between 20 to 30cm tall and 15 to 20cm wide
  • Have a moving mechanism you can turn by hand or by some other method
  • Include a way to stop the astronaut floating away from the machine

 

Things to think of

Remember to discuss and plan your design.

How will you make your machine strong and stable enough?

How will you secure the astronaut to the machine to stop him floating away?

How will you build your moving mechanism?

Inspiration

There are lots of different ways to build a running machine. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking. Exercise machines such as a treadmill, a conveyor belt, an adult-sized version of a hamster wheel or a roundabout in a playground. 

The winners and runners up were both Kirkstyle pairs!

Well done goes to Jade Cunningham and Megan Donnelly who will represent Kilmarnock in June at the East Ayrshire area challenge. Reserves for the event are the runners up pair of Greg Hillan and Adam Green.

Global Footprint – Waste

Primary 5 have just finished an Interdisciplinary theme on an aspect of our Global Footprint looking at litter and waste. As part of this theme the pupils designed recycling bins that would encourage pupils to bin it! The three winning designs have been made into proofs of actual finished products and we would appreciate your comments on your favourite design and slogan to help us decide which bin to have made. The design will be reproduced for use in school and paid for through our clothes recycling campaign – Rag Bag.

The pupils will be voting for thei rfavourite design after Assembly – Good Luck!