Welcome to this weeks blog. The Deans Decision Makers have been busy creating STEM challenges for our school advent calendar. The first challenge was to go on a nature walk and look for patterns in the environment. The children took lots of pictures and identified lines of symmetry in a number of objects. On Tuesday, our challenge was titled “Dancing Salt” (sound waves and vibrations). We had to place clingfilm tightly over a bowl then put salt in the middle and place the speaker in different position around the bowl and watch the sound waves create vibrations. We discovered that salt was too light and rice was a good alternative.
On Wednesday the children had to make an igloo using marshmallows and cocktail sticks. This was tricky but as they worked together they managed to create small igloos. Some managed to make a roof and opening for a door.
On Thursday the challenge was to use marshmallows and spaghetti to build and measure a tower.
It got a bit tricky so the children made snowmen instead. It is nearly Christmas after all.
Lots of good discussion, problem solving and fun had by all!
This week we read a beautiful book called Little Robin Red Vest. It is the story of a kind little bird who gives away his 7 vests to his friends who need them. On Christmas Eve he was cold and alone but Santa had been watching him and rescued him. Mrs Claus knits him a very special red vest and this is how the robin got his red breast. The children have drew robins for our winter display and designed vests. A lovely story well worth reading.
I hope you all have a lovely weekend . Not long to go now!
