STEP 1: HANDS ON SCIENCE
On this page we provide evidence of the children engaging in hands-on science investigations in school (indoors and outdoors) from each of the four strands. See all on our slideshows below
- Living things
- Energy and forces
- Materials
- Environmental awareness and care
Experiment - Heat Travelling (Rang 2 and 3)
Science; Experiment to test if heat can be transferred
· After learning many facts about heat we decided to experiment to check if heat can be transferred.
· All children were asked if they knew whether heat could be transferred or not. They all agreed it could.
· We set up the experiment to test three materials for heat transfer i.e. metal, plastic and wood.
· Most of the children predicted that metal was the best for transferring heat.
Set up experiment and watch what happens
1. Place hot water in a container.
2. Put a small piece of butter on the end of each material you are going to experiment with i.e. a metal spoon, a plastic spoon and a wooden stick.
3. Place the materials into the water with the butter end sticking out of the container.
4. Watch what happens.
Result
First time round all three materials were very slow to transfer the heat to melt the butter so we decided that something must be wrong as we all agreed that metal transferred heat the quickest.
After some research we discovered that the metal spoons that we were using were treated with something that prevents them from transferring heat for safety reasons.
We tried the experiment again with the three materials but this time we used long metal nails instead of the metal spoon. Immediately we had a result. The heat from the water traveled quickly through the nail and melted the butter at the top.
Our lesson is if something doesn’t work continue experimenting and you will learn new things.
· After learning many facts about heat we decided to experiment to check if heat can be transferred.
· All children were asked if they knew whether heat could be transferred or not. They all agreed it could.
· We set up the experiment to test three materials for heat transfer i.e. metal, plastic and wood.
· Most of the children predicted that metal was the best for transferring heat.
Set up experiment and watch what happens
1. Place hot water in a container.
2. Put a small piece of butter on the end of each material you are going to experiment with i.e. a metal spoon, a plastic spoon and a wooden stick.
3. Place the materials into the water with the butter end sticking out of the container.
4. Watch what happens.
Result
First time round all three materials were very slow to transfer the heat to melt the butter so we decided that something must be wrong as we all agreed that metal transferred heat the quickest.
After some research we discovered that the metal spoons that we were using were treated with something that prevents them from transferring heat for safety reasons.
We tried the experiment again with the three materials but this time we used long metal nails instead of the metal spoon. Immediately we had a result. The heat from the water traveled quickly through the nail and melted the butter at the top.
Our lesson is if something doesn’t work continue experimenting and you will learn new things.
Experiment: Investigating Magnets (Rang 2 and 3)
The children were given bar magnets and a selection of materials i.e. wood, plastic, metal, copper, paper and fabric.
First they had to explore the poles on the bar magnets. They played with them and each group came up with the same conclusion that like poles repel and opposite poles attract in terms of red ends repel each other, blue ends repel each other and blue and red attract each other. Then it was explained to them that each magnet has a north and south pole. They then explained how opposite poles attract each other and like poles repel each other using the language of poles rather than magnet ends.
Each group worked with a selection of materials and predicted what materials would be attracted to the magnets. Firstly they predicted what would happen with each different material before they tried it out. All groups predicted that the magnets would attract the metal objects. They had great fun trying this out.
Finally each group were given an enclosed plastic container with iron filings. The pairs explored making the iron filings stand, move and created shapes using the magnets and filings. They concluded that iron filings are attracted to magnets.
We will continue exploring magnets at a later date and we hope to make a simple magnetic car that we can move using a hand held magnet. See our sample worksheet below..
First they had to explore the poles on the bar magnets. They played with them and each group came up with the same conclusion that like poles repel and opposite poles attract in terms of red ends repel each other, blue ends repel each other and blue and red attract each other. Then it was explained to them that each magnet has a north and south pole. They then explained how opposite poles attract each other and like poles repel each other using the language of poles rather than magnet ends.
Each group worked with a selection of materials and predicted what materials would be attracted to the magnets. Firstly they predicted what would happen with each different material before they tried it out. All groups predicted that the magnets would attract the metal objects. They had great fun trying this out.
Finally each group were given an enclosed plastic container with iron filings. The pairs explored making the iron filings stand, move and created shapes using the magnets and filings. They concluded that iron filings are attracted to magnets.
We will continue exploring magnets at a later date and we hope to make a simple magnetic car that we can move using a hand held magnet. See our sample worksheet below..
| what_are_magnets_w9ork_sheet.docx |
Materials and change: Mixing colours
We
looked at the colour wheel and named the primary colours i.e. red, yellow and
blue. Then we looked at the colours made by mixing a combination of two of the
above colours i.e. red and yellow mixed together make orange, blue and yellow
mixed together make green and blue and red mixed together make purple. These we
recognised as the secondary colours.
As we discussed colours further the children talked about the different shades one particular colour can have. They experimented with adding white or black paint to a particular colour to create different shades of one colour.
Each pair were given one of the primary or secondary colours with either white or black paint and asked to produce seven more shade of the colour.
Children were asked to add white or black in very small amounts to create the shades but at the same time recognise a distinct difference in the shades.
The children thought the experiment went very well and as they predicted.
As we discussed colours further the children talked about the different shades one particular colour can have. They experimented with adding white or black paint to a particular colour to create different shades of one colour.
Each pair were given one of the primary or secondary colours with either white or black paint and asked to produce seven more shade of the colour.
Children were asked to add white or black in very small amounts to create the shades but at the same time recognise a distinct difference in the shades.
The children thought the experiment went very well and as they predicted.
Nature Walk at Baronscourt - Learning about birds - Rang 2 and Rang 3
We went to Baronscourt in May to learn lots about nature. We were there with other schools from Leitrim and Armagh. We learned about the sounds that birds make and how they recognise each other when they are flying around. Then we built some nests. We had to do this with one hand behind our backs (like using a beak). We saw a Californian Redwood tree. It sounds hollow when you tap it. This is because it has a special bark that protects it in forest fires. There are lots of forest fires in California. Rang 2
Ice Lolly Experiment (Rang 2 and 3)
We used ice lollies instead of ice balloons. We had to use our senses to figure out what was in the lollies. We used taste, smell, sight and touch. Hearing wasnt really useful for this experiment. We tasted the ice lollies and touchesd them and looked at them and smelled them. The best for me was 7Up. My least favourite was the vinegar (Yuck!) Ronan Rang 3
Miss Brennan took us into the senior room and on the tables there were clear lollipops. We didnt see anything that could give them flavour so we looked at them, we touched them, we smelled them and tasted them. There were different flavours. The worst was the vinegar and the salt. The best was the 7Up. I enjoyed the experiment. Grainne Rang 3.
Here is a slideshow of what we did:
Miss Brennan took us into the senior room and on the tables there were clear lollipops. We didnt see anything that could give them flavour so we looked at them, we touched them, we smelled them and tasted them. There were different flavours. The worst was the vinegar and the salt. The best was the 7Up. I enjoyed the experiment. Grainne Rang 3.
Here is a slideshow of what we did:
Senior classes science work journals
Here are some samples of work completed by children in 4th, 5th and 6th classes this year.
Streamscapes Field Trip to Glaslough wetlandsSenior classes took part in the Streamscapes project which is all about learning about water and water quality. We visited Glaslough Wetlands in September and followed up with a great trip to Oxford Island at Lough Neagh just last week.
Ian Patterson teaches us all about Birds of PreyIn December Ian Patterson visited the school with his birds of prey. It was fascinating and a bit scary too. Several people got to take part in exercises where the birds would go from one person to another. We learned about food chains. Birds of prey eat other animals. A lot of biords of prey are endangered because people hunted them in the past.
|
Emylake Nature WalkTrip to Emy Lake with ecologist Billy FlynnIn October 2nd and 3rd class went on a trip to Emy Lake on an autumn nature walk with Mr. Billy Flynn (ecologist).
On our nature walk Billy got the children to look at the deciduous trees around the lake and note the changes that were occurring with the leaves. The children observed the autumn colour changes and the vast quantity of leaves that lay on the ground at this time of year. They discussed the changes and the reasons why. Throughout the walk the children spotted many native birds and named them. Billy explained about migration and how some birds like the swallow head to warmer countries for the winter. With the autumn seasonal changes well explored Billy took the children to the lake side where they became ecologists themselves and explored and learned about some of the life within the lake. The children were able to fish miniature creatures out of the lake with a net and compare them to pictures on a chart to discover their names and characteristics. Much was learned and Billy is going to continue the lake exploration at a further date. |
Environmental awareness and careOur school is a Green School. We have two flags so far, one for litter and waste and one for energy, we are now working on our third flag - for water. We still carry on our work on energy and litter and waste. We recycle a lot - we recycle paper, plastic, printer cartridges, phones, batteries, clothes, shoes and bottle tops. We have special bins for collecting all these things. We also recycled old computers by sending them to Camara to be recycled for use in Africa. We also try to save energy as much as we can. We put posters and notices around the school to remind people to turn off the lights and to remind the teachers to turn off the whiteboards at lunch time and at home time.
|
Investigating plants and flowersSenior infants and first class investigated flowers in spring. We had lots of dandelions growing in one of the atriums so we pulled them up, roots and all to look at the different parts of the plant - the roots, the stem, the leaves and the flower. We completed a work sheet on the parts of the flower afterwards.
|
Marbling
Mixing oil and water
Last week we printed using the marbling method.
First we predicted what would happen when oil paint was sprinkled on water. Most children said it would float on top.
Mrs. Boyle demonstrated the marbling.
1. Fill a container wide enough to hold the paper you are using.
2. Sprinkle a selection of colours of marbling paint into the water.
3. The paint floats on top.
4. Using a stick gently cut through the paint to create a marbled effect.
5. Place the paper flat on the surface of the water and watch it absorb the paint.
6. Lift the page by the corner and set it to dry.
7. Admire the many patterns that all the children produced.
We learned that the marbling paint is oil based and this is why it floats on water. Oil is less dense that water so it stays on top. The oil paint and the water do not mix well.
Last week we printed using the marbling method.
First we predicted what would happen when oil paint was sprinkled on water. Most children said it would float on top.
Mrs. Boyle demonstrated the marbling.
1. Fill a container wide enough to hold the paper you are using.
2. Sprinkle a selection of colours of marbling paint into the water.
3. The paint floats on top.
4. Using a stick gently cut through the paint to create a marbled effect.
5. Place the paper flat on the surface of the water and watch it absorb the paint.
6. Lift the page by the corner and set it to dry.
7. Admire the many patterns that all the children produced.
We learned that the marbling paint is oil based and this is why it floats on water. Oil is less dense that water so it stays on top. The oil paint and the water do not mix well.
Testing the bounce of a tennis ball at different temperatures
At Wimbledon Tennis Championships the tennis balls are changed every nine games and people who go to watch the matches can buy them afterwards as souvenirs! So what is it about temperature and the bounce of a ball? We decided to find out.
We used tennis balls at room temperature, from the freezer and some that had been kept hot by being on the radiator all day. Teacher told us that to have a fair test there must be only one thing changing each time. We got into groups and we decided that if e threw the balls it wouldnt be fair as some people could put more force into throwing the ball. So we decided that the best way would be to drop the balls and always from the same point. Our group picked one person to drop the ball, one to measure the bounce and one to record. Teacher said it was OK to mark the bounce on the wall with a pencil as we could rub it out afterwards.
We thought the cold balls would bounce the best but we all found that the hot ones did. We wondered why this was. We think maybe the tennis balls were not good quality - they were really cheap ones that you give to dogs to play with! We would like to try this again and do it better.
We used tennis balls at room temperature, from the freezer and some that had been kept hot by being on the radiator all day. Teacher told us that to have a fair test there must be only one thing changing each time. We got into groups and we decided that if e threw the balls it wouldnt be fair as some people could put more force into throwing the ball. So we decided that the best way would be to drop the balls and always from the same point. Our group picked one person to drop the ball, one to measure the bounce and one to record. Teacher said it was OK to mark the bounce on the wall with a pencil as we could rub it out afterwards.
We thought the cold balls would bounce the best but we all found that the hot ones did. We wondered why this was. We think maybe the tennis balls were not good quality - they were really cheap ones that you give to dogs to play with! We would like to try this again and do it better.
Infants Nature Trip to Parkanaur
Not to be outdone Junior and Senior Infants and First Class went on a nature trail at Parkanaur Forest near Omagh. They did a workshop inside first and then it was out to the great outdoors to learn about all the creepy crawlies in the forest.
Our Trip to Oxford Island Centre at Lough Neagh.
My Report on Oxford Island
On Friday we went to Oxford Island for a day trip. It took about 40-45 minutes to get there. When we got there we were greeted by Lough Neagh flies. We walked into the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre and our tour guide Glenn took us to the Education Room where he show us a slideshow that was all the about the lake and the wildlife around it. Then we went out into the forest to do mini beast hunting. We were split up into groups of three. I was with Nicole and Áine. Glenn gave me a mini paintbrush and gave Nicole a mini glass tube to see the insects and bugs that we caught. We caught a red velvet mite, a woodlouse, a beetle and a Lough Neagh fly. Then we went Pond Dipping with nets. We were split up into groups of five this time. Glenn got trays and put pond water into them to put whatever we caught into it. We caught a water boat man and a stickle back. After that, we went bird watching and saw house martins and different kinds of ducks. I really enjoyed my day and hope we can go back again.
By: Niamh Clerkin
Oxford Island
We went to Oxford Island on the 8/5/15. We travelled to Oxford Island on a bus and it took us about an hour to get there. When we arrived at Oxford Island we were met by a man called Glen who was our instructor. Glen took us into a room with lots of stuffed animals, posters and lots more things. We all sat down on a chair and Glen showed us the powerpoint he made. He asked us lots of questions and we answered them. Then when the power point was over we put on our wellies to go into the forest to hunt for minibeasts. We walked over to the forest and Glen gave us a minibeast identification key, a tub for the minibeasts and a brush to brush them of the tree. Eve, Amy and I were in the same group. We found a 2 millipedes a baby one and an old one and a Lough Neagh fly. Then when we finished the minibeast hunt we went back inside to get some nets and trays. After we got the nets and trays, we went to the pond. Mia, Cara, Jenny, Eve, Amy and I were in the same group. We caught a stickle back, waterboat men, water mite and a water beetle. My team and I won the competition which was to see who could get the most species of fish. After the pond dipping we went back inside for lunch. Most of us went into the Cafeteria and we got food. I got chicken goujons and chips and they were really nice. Finally when everyone had finished eating we went bird watching. Glen gave us the binoculars and we had to focus them so we could see more clearly. We looked out at the water and saw a few birds in the distance. Then we went to look at the nests under the roof belonging to a house Maritain and one bird pooed on my binoculars. We went over to the pond and looked at the some of the ducks swimming about. Then we finished the bird watching and went inside. We packed our bags and took off our wellies. Then we said “Thanks" to Glen and got back on the bus and drove home.
Report on Oxford Island
On Friday we went to Oxford Island. First of all we went into a room and sat down and a man named Glen showed us a slideshow. It was about all the insects and animals that lived at Lough Neagh. After the slideshow we went into a forest and had a mini beast hunt. This involved brushing up insects into a tub so that we could examine them up close. We saw lots of Lough Neagh flies. My group didn’t find that many insects. These are some of the things we found a blood sucker, a millipede and a leaf beetle. After break we went pond dipping and we found a stickleback then we went bird watching and use binoculars to look and birds out on an island and we looked at the house martin eggs. After this Glen gave prizes to those who paid the most attention. Finally we headed for home.
By: Áine Rafferty
On Friday we went to Oxford Island for a day trip. It took about 40-45 minutes to get there. When we got there we were greeted by Lough Neagh flies. We walked into the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre and our tour guide Glenn took us to the Education Room where he show us a slideshow that was all the about the lake and the wildlife around it. Then we went out into the forest to do mini beast hunting. We were split up into groups of three. I was with Nicole and Áine. Glenn gave me a mini paintbrush and gave Nicole a mini glass tube to see the insects and bugs that we caught. We caught a red velvet mite, a woodlouse, a beetle and a Lough Neagh fly. Then we went Pond Dipping with nets. We were split up into groups of five this time. Glenn got trays and put pond water into them to put whatever we caught into it. We caught a water boat man and a stickle back. After that, we went bird watching and saw house martins and different kinds of ducks. I really enjoyed my day and hope we can go back again.
By: Niamh Clerkin
Oxford Island
We went to Oxford Island on the 8/5/15. We travelled to Oxford Island on a bus and it took us about an hour to get there. When we arrived at Oxford Island we were met by a man called Glen who was our instructor. Glen took us into a room with lots of stuffed animals, posters and lots more things. We all sat down on a chair and Glen showed us the powerpoint he made. He asked us lots of questions and we answered them. Then when the power point was over we put on our wellies to go into the forest to hunt for minibeasts. We walked over to the forest and Glen gave us a minibeast identification key, a tub for the minibeasts and a brush to brush them of the tree. Eve, Amy and I were in the same group. We found a 2 millipedes a baby one and an old one and a Lough Neagh fly. Then when we finished the minibeast hunt we went back inside to get some nets and trays. After we got the nets and trays, we went to the pond. Mia, Cara, Jenny, Eve, Amy and I were in the same group. We caught a stickle back, waterboat men, water mite and a water beetle. My team and I won the competition which was to see who could get the most species of fish. After the pond dipping we went back inside for lunch. Most of us went into the Cafeteria and we got food. I got chicken goujons and chips and they were really nice. Finally when everyone had finished eating we went bird watching. Glen gave us the binoculars and we had to focus them so we could see more clearly. We looked out at the water and saw a few birds in the distance. Then we went to look at the nests under the roof belonging to a house Maritain and one bird pooed on my binoculars. We went over to the pond and looked at the some of the ducks swimming about. Then we finished the bird watching and went inside. We packed our bags and took off our wellies. Then we said “Thanks" to Glen and got back on the bus and drove home.
Report on Oxford Island
On Friday we went to Oxford Island. First of all we went into a room and sat down and a man named Glen showed us a slideshow. It was about all the insects and animals that lived at Lough Neagh. After the slideshow we went into a forest and had a mini beast hunt. This involved brushing up insects into a tub so that we could examine them up close. We saw lots of Lough Neagh flies. My group didn’t find that many insects. These are some of the things we found a blood sucker, a millipede and a leaf beetle. After break we went pond dipping and we found a stickleback then we went bird watching and use binoculars to look and birds out on an island and we looked at the house martin eggs. After this Glen gave prizes to those who paid the most attention. Finally we headed for home.
By: Áine Rafferty