Category Archives: STEM 2017

Interdisciplinary Learning, Learning Stories, Maths & Numeracy, Primary 5, STEM 2017

Kidnapped! Mission 8: Tyre Track

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L.I. We are learning to use line symmetry to complete an image

S.C.- I understand the terms symmetry and symmetrical and can use a mirror to help me complete a symmetrical pattern

-I can use my completed symmetrical pattern to match to an identical pattern

Primary 5 received communication from Police HQ telling us about the discovery of a partial tyre track which was found close to the home of Alan Green. Unfortunately the track found was too incomplete to be able to match it to a vehicle so we were given the task of trying to complete the image.

We inspected the track and found that half the tread was missing so we were able to use our knowledge of line symmetry to complete the whole tyre track.

We used a mirror to give us an impression of what the complete pattern would look like and then used the squares on the grid to ensure our mirror image was absolutely accurate. It took us a long time and quite a few attempts to get our symmetrical patterns right , but we eventually managed to produce the completed image. This allowed us to match it against the tyre tracks on Police HQ’s database and narrow down the make of vehicle which had left it.

We were able to demonstrate our knowledge about line symmetry during our STEM open day when parents and carers came into school to find out about our topic.

Events, Interdisciplinary Learning, Maths & Numeracy, Primary 5, STEM 2017, Technologies

P5B’s Mission 9: Vehicle Database

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We are learning to use an online database to locate information

Success Criteria:
– I understand what a database is, the different forms they can take and what they are used for
– I can select the key words needed to retrieve the specific information I need
– I can filter results to discount irrelevant information

As part of their IDL context, Kidnapped, Primary 5B received another mission- to use an online database to identify the type of getaway car used in the kidnapping. Chief Anderson had sent us a partial tyre track found at the crime scene, and we had to use our knowledge of line symmetry to complete the track. We then searched an online database to identify the make of the car it came from, hoping that this would help us to eliminate some of the suspects. We were able to narrow down our search to 3 types of getaway cars that could have been used. Another online database helped us to find out about the vehicles owned by each of our 6 remaining suspects, locating the registration number, vehicle type, model, colour and any other distinguishing features of their vehicles. We had to ensure that we used the correct spelling and our skimming and scanning skills to locate the key information. We recorded our notes in our case files.

We then shared this learning with our parents, carers and family friends during our STEM open afternoon, along with 4 other activities to demonstrate some of the new knowledge and skills we have gained from our Kidnapped topic so far. We rotated around 5 different stations:

1. Handwriting Analysis
2. Fingerprint Analysis
3. Forensic science careers research
4. Completing a partial tyre track
5. Deciphering a secret code

We enjoyed showing off our evidence wall and our Yammer page, as well as having help from our parents/carers to complete some of the missions.

English & Literacy, Nursery, Primary 1, Primary 2, STEM 2017, Technologies

Sharing our Learning!

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This week, the nursery children visited the P1 and P2/1 classes to share what they had observed and learned during the construction of the new nursery building. They confidently used the GoPro to film their visit, explaining which materials were used, what held the bricks together and why the pipes were under the ground. The P1 and P2/1 children exchanged their knowledge, showing us their Architect drawings and building area. Thank you for letting us visit your class to share our learning.

Events, Maths & Numeracy, Sciences, STEM 2017, Technologies, Uncategorized

P4A’s STEM afternoon

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This week, we had the opportunity to set up a number of experiments and activities, that are part of our STEM topic ‘Project Planetarium’.  This included designing and building a rocket launcher, which we then tested according to how high the rocket would go from the launcher.We had some help from the parents that came along top our open afternoon.

We created an experiment using a rocket, balloon and string to test the most effective way of forcing the rocket to move. Lastly, we were able to reinforce our knowledge of constellations using marshmallows and toothpicks by carefully following the design of different constellations. Well done Primary 4A and thank you to the parents that came along to see our hard work.

Maths & Numeracy, Sciences, STEM 2017, Technologies

P4b’s Super STEM Challenges!

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This week, P4b have taken part in a range of exciting STEM activities that has developed our understanding and knowledge of our solar system. We worked together in our space teams to experiment with a range of materials and used a range maths skills.
We created galaxy jars, marshmallow constellations, balloon rockets and moon craters. On Thursday we were able to share what we had learned with our relatives and parents and the STEM Open Afternoon.

‘It was fun and exciting to teach our parents how to do different experiments’ Daisy
‘I really enjoyed seeing our parents around the classroom’ Megan

Primary 2, Primary 3, STEM 2017, Technologies, Uncategorized

P2/3 STEM challenge – to design a bike accessory

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P2/3 for their STEM challenge at open day on Wednesday 15th March had to design a bike seat for Mr Tickles or Snuggles.

We learned to:

consider a design brief
take part in a group discussion in our bike teams
draw a design sketch
make a seat from cardboard that had fastenings and would be of an appropriate size
evaluate their designs

Alfie said it was quite hard to make the seat. He thought the cutting and shaping to make it fit was tricky.

Nathan thought it was fun and a little bit hard. It was hard to decide on who had the best design in his group.

Jessica thought it was fun to have the parents and grandparents come into the class to help. She thought her design was fun to make but was not so sure how practical it was.

Primary 1, STEM 2017, Technologies

Building in P1

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We are learning that buildings are created for a variety of purposes                               

We are learning that different materials are used for different parts of a building

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  • I can name different types of buildings
  • I can name different parts of a building
  • I can describe the different materials used in a building and say why each one is effective

We started our new IDL by reading and talking about the story of The 3 Little Pigs. We explored the materials used to build the houses in the story, and decided why the straw and the sticks were not particularly suitable. The bricks were definitely the best choice!

We then watched a video clip about building a house, and considered some of the materials suggested for the different parts of the building – jelly walls? hair roof? newspaper windows? We could give very good reasons why these materials would not be appropriate, and we suggested much better alternatives. There were lots of examples of these building materials all around us in school- eg bricks, concrete, wood and glass.

We decided that these materials would probably be used for other types of buildings too.

We have now set up a Site Office in our classroom,  and we are going to keep an eye on the progress that is being made with the Nursery next door. Now, we plan to investigate some of the different types of work carried out when a new building is created, and we would also like to explore the various roles that people have throughout the process.

English & Literacy, Interdisciplinary Learning, Primary 5, STEM 2017

MISSING!

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L.I. We are learning to select key information from a description.

As part of our STEM topic, ‘KIDNAPPED’, Primary 5 have been helping the police in their search for the missing Green children who have been kidnapped from their home. This week we decided to create some Missing Persons posters to help with the investigation. We revised all the information we already had about the children and the circumstances of their disappearance.

In our investigation groups we discussed the information we had and selected the key points to include in our posters. We agreed that they had to:

  • be eyecatching, to hook people in
  • provide as much accurate information about the children as possible
  • give details of the date and time of the disappearance
  • give an accurate representation of how the children look
  • provide details of who to contact with information

Once we had planned our posters, we got to work in our teams and managed to produce some really eye-catching posters. We are hoping to get permission to display some around the school – look out for them!

Sciences, STEM 2017, Technologies

P4b’s Space-tacular Assembly!

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Well done to Primary 4B for a FANTASTIC assembly today all about their Project Planetarium STEM IDL Context. We have learned so much about the planets and the moon in our space missions so far and cant wait to find out what is next!
Thank you to all parents and carers who managed to attend. The children enjoyed preparing, practicing and presenting their assembly! Here are some pictures from the assembly and a link to the prezi presentation for any parents and carers who couldn’t attend and for the pupils to watch again!

Prezi Presentation: http://prezi.com/r6m6ljei5pt6/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share