Willowbank School, KilmarnockThe Stars class were successful learners during science week. We explored many experiments in class (many of them very messy!) and also had a good time on Tuesday when we saw the planetarium, robots, engines and had fun with circuits on our STEM Science Day. We also had a fun Friday for Sports Relief where we took part in corridor activities.
Fun with Science continued throughout the week. One experiment that the class all enjoyed was making a Non-Newtonian fluid (cornflour and water!) and discovering its properties. Numeracy skills were put to good use checking the mass and volume of each item. Each boy experienced the fluid and we had a range of way to interact. Some used spoons to stir fast and slow and some put their hands straight in!
The next experiment was making rainbow paper. The boys all interacted well and were patient when they poured clear nail varnish into water. They carefully placed black card on top and removed it to show shimmering rainbow paper.
The class them observed the reaction between a powder and a liquid to form a gas. The boys were amazed when the balloon started to inflate.
Our last task in class was to apply our literacy and numeracy skills to try and replicate the success of Patrick last year at the Engineering Challenge. The boys reflected on the webcast from Monday and came up with some new designs to help solve problems. The challenge included a short letter to explain the design and what influenced each idea. Watch this space to see how well we get on!
We had more successful learners taking part in more science experiments. We turned a raw egg into a bouncy egg with no shell using vinegar. Everyone had great concentration and anticipation on where the experiment would work. Everyone focused their attention when waiting on the egg being bounced. It bounced quite a few times before going, splat!
We also made rainbow paper using water and clear nail varnish, everyone actively participated and took their turn at giving their black card a rainbow pattern.
We also took part in a coloured pen experiment, we chose our colours and used some water to separate the colours. Everyone enjoyed looking at the original colour separate and move up the paper.
Our first experiment – making a dancing man with a white board pen and water.
Exciting times as we all focussed on a webcast where engineers spoke about developing Patrick’s Fair-ground garden design into reality. We learned a lot about having to make small changes to make it possible.
The Transition boys had a great morning actively engaging with robots! The boys showed great manners and listened well to instructions so they could confidently use remote control cameras, wind turbines and a trebuchet to name a few!
The class then took part in an exercise looking a design inspired by nature and had a chance to experience using a microscope.
The class also took part in a very colourful experiment. Each boy made a prediction about the number of colours in each ink. The boys then completed a chromatography experiment to separate the colours. We discovered that most inks in our pens contain a mix of colours.
In the afternoon the boys experienced the planetarium where we learned about the next steps in moon exploration.
On the way back to class the boys had time to explore and investigate the movement of Slinkys.
Once back in class the boys took part in a moon quiz where they scored 8/9.
Monday started with a bang to our week of experiments for Science Week.
We made our predications of our success rate and already we have had quite a few passes!
Everyone had a great day making their predication on success of the experiments, then watching and waiting for the experiment to happen to see if they were correct. We were effective contributors when taking part in all the experiments. Also successful learners all round as everyone was keen to get involved and try things out.
We made lava cake and enjoyed eating it, we explored air power through a variety of different experiments. We made a stick man dance in a plate of water and we attempted to make slime, however again we failed at successfully making slime! However the everyone really enjoyed exploring, playing and describing how the slime felt on their hands.
This week the Sungazers will get the chance to participate actively in lots of different science experiments and activities. This afternoon we have had great fun trying out 4 experiments – ‘Cornflour Slime’, ‘Balloon Pop’, ‘Make Your Own Volcano’ and ‘Rainbow Milk’.
The pupils all showed a great interest in all of the experiments, paying attention to the steps involved and participating actively when asked to.
Balloon Pop
Rainbow Milk
Make your own volcano
Cornflour Slime
Apologies there is an issue affecting the upload of pictures.The Transition Boys had a wonderful time on Word Book Day. We had a couple of new faces in class. Ali Baba and The Boy in the Dress came for the day! The boys were really focussed as we read excerpts from each book. Some boys did a short study on David Walliams and some designed new characters. Everyone successfully made masks based on their favourite book.
Apologies there is an issue affecting the upload of pictures. The Transition class started their preparation for Science week next week. NO SPOILERS! They tested their formula and equipment that they will pass to each secondary class next week. Things got a bit messy and wet but fingers crossed every class goes as well as ours!
Apologies there is an issue affecting the upload of pictures. The Transition boys took learning outdoors this week (the sun even shone!). The boys were consolidating their understanding of direction and time. The remote control bug was used off-road round a course. Each boy had the chance to control the bug and also to use the timer to see who was the fastest. We’ll keep you updated on the overall winner as we build up our off-road skills!
The Makaton literacy group this week were experiencing vegetable signs and symbols. We looked at the symbols and tried to copy the signs. We then had fun printing and painting with the vegetables. They were all confident individuals rolling and moulding the playdough do make different vegetables and add details to the different pies.
