Tag Archives: STEM

The Romans

P4 have been investigating the past and developing their knowledge of the Romans. They have been very busy with their homework tasks over the last few weeks and have been taking on all kinds of learning challenges.

One of our pupils has been to visit the Antonine wall as part of his home learning.  He confidently shared his learning with the class through his photographs of what he had seen and read. Did you know the Antonine wall was built to extend Roman Britannia north from Hadrian’s Wall? The wall was designed as a frontier for the empire, and a barrier to raiding Caledonian tribes.

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Another enthusiastic P4 pupil has been busy at home, looking for where we can still see Roman numerals today. Her clock at home is a terrific example of this.  She has also been busy creating Roman forts and buildings from recycled materials.

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Another P4 pupil chose to make a roman fort from recycled materials as part of her home learning. She provided a super explanation of some areas found inside the fort and some common external features.

 

Well done P4!

P3/4 Fun With Balloons

P3/4 have been investigating flight as part of their learning this term. This week P3/4 had fun experimenting and investigating balloons. The children discussed the types of gas that can be used to inflate balloons and the weight of helium compared to the air around us – the gas takes up space inside the balloon, forcing it to expand. We popped some balloons and untied the ends to let them fly around the room to illustrate air pressure inside a balloon and it escaping.

One pupil then drew a funny face on the surface of a balloon, but forgot to give it some ears. So 2 helpers pressed two plastic cups firmly onto either side of the balloon where the ears should be. We then blew the balloon up again while the helpers held the cups in place. When the balloon was big enough our helpers let go of the cups, which stuck to the balloon by themselves, showing the displacement of the air and the pressure surrounding.

We then continued the balloon fun by investigating static electricity. We tried sticking the balloon to the wall, picking up small pieces of paper and moving our hair.

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DYW Skills Fair

Some of our P7’s had an amazing time at the Almondvale Stadium this week investigating careers at West Lothian’s DYW Skills Fair. All pupil enjoyed lots of interactive activities – making bath bombs, slime, ice cream and lemonade, working on their coding skills using the Scratch website, finding out about items of medical equipment, trying out VR headsets, creating and designing our own sweets and sweet shops, as well as many other interesting skills and careers.

What a fab morning!

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Primary 7/6’s Anderson Shelter

Operation Anderson Shelter – Success!

… And it was so worth it to see their excited faces at their new hide out for this term. Primary 7/6 have brought their topic of World War 2 to life by creating their own Anderson Shelter, identification cards, and gas masks.

Thank you for all your support in providing the cardboard boxes – I think we have enough to make another Anderson Shelter!

P2 Easter Challenge

Phew we managed to make the Easter Bunny some baskets strong enough for his eggs. We used Miss Butler’s pencil case as two Ester eggs to make sure our baskets were strong enough. Some of our baskets worked great, others needed to be a little bit stronger. What do you think of our creations? Primary 2 had a great time making these baskets.  

STEM Construction Challenge

Children in our P1-3 department have been thoroughly enjoying taking part in a range of construction based challenges this week! These challenges have been collaborative, motivating and above all FUN! We have had to learn how to co-operate in mini teams, problem solve, persevere and express our own ideas using a wide range of practical materials! Here are a few snapshots of Primary 3/2 in action…with a couple of sneaky P7s who wanted in on the building site action!  Oh and Ms Elder who was instructed by the Site Manager to wear her hard hat and high viz waistcoat before she could pass through 🙂