Studying the Stream with Year Five

For a couple of weeks, both Year Five classes came to the science room.  They learnt some different ways of studying streams and then we went out and had three sessions completing a range of practical tasks.  These practical sessions accompanied the class work that was completed with their own class teacher.  On the first visit to the stream, both classes got to sketch the path of the stream, noting its width, depth and how shaded it was from the sun.

The second visit saw the boys learn how to construct a quadrat and carefully observe and count the stream life.  It caused much excitement when a few boys spotted eels but needless to say they soon disappeared from sight!

They also learnt how to measure the speed of the stream by using table tennis balls and timing them travel over a certain distance.  Everyone was given a role, from dropping the ball, to timing, to being the one responsible to give the ball a small nudge when it got stuck!

The final session saw the boys divide into two groups.  The first group measured the temperature of our stream in three different places.  They collected data from both the floor of the stream and near the surface.  This helped boys to clarify their thinking about what might change the water temperature.  

The second group got to learn about and use a water clarity meter.  This piece of equipment measures just how clear the water is, and with the recent heavy downpour the boys were amazed to see how murky the stream had become.  Later that day, Wellington newspapers reported the water in the Hutt River was also too murky to collect from, something that our boys could now understand!

Technology with the Juniors

Year Three have just completed three jam packed, fun sessions of technology.  In the first session they each designed and  made their own clay shape which now hangs above their coat and bag hooks in the cloak room.  All of the boys are proud of their designs and hopefully these will hang for the rest of the year.

Then we had a great discussion all around air pressure, what makes a balloon zoom and zig-zag through the air as it goes down?  The boys got to watch a simple model of a balloon powered car and then shared their ideas about what made it move along.  We discussed its design features and what we could do to improve it.  The class were really keen to get stuck into making their own.

After learning how to sketch a side view, a front view and a top view, the boys began construction.  Using simple materials such as corrogated plastic and cardboard, cellotape, straws and skewers, the boys spent two sessions building their cars.  Many of them took up the opportunity to try using the skill saw and it was really great to see them learning to use a new piece of equipment in the science/technology room.

There were varying degrees of success but a number of boys managed to make a fantastic car which travelled across the classroom floor. A few boys even took home equipment so that they could finish it at home.

Now the Year One class have just started their sessions.  They are working incredibly hard and so far things are going great!  They still have two sessions to go.

If you're keen to try making one at home, check out Steve Spangler, an American Science teacher who has a fantastic website full of fun science stuff!

2013 Science and Technology

It seems every term, the science and technology room gets used more and more.  This year already looks like it's going to be a busy and exciting one.

With the weather being so wonderful, the Wellesley teachers are making the most of our surroundings.  The first term starts with all year groups having some kind of camp.  There are many opportunities for the boys to explore the environment, from the Junior's sleep over and local fishing trip, to theYear 6's tramp at Kaitoke, to the Year 8's week at Castlepoint.

Everyone makes the most of our unique environment and I know classes are already planning walks in the bush, trips to the beach and opportunities to explore the streams which border our school.

Wellesley's Science and Technology Fair 2012

In the last week of term two, Wellesley held its biannual school wide Science and Technology Fair.
Throughout the school, every class has been working towards our science week, culminating in an evening for parents to come along and see what their sons have been doing.

The senior school displayed their exhibits in the science and dance rooms.  All 85 exhibits had been judged and all the boys were interviewed. Then those top ones were then judged by another judge who narrowed it down to our finalists and place-getters.

Our science evening was very well attended.  Sarah Wilcox was our guest speaker and she spoke to the boys about some of the opportunities that are open to scientists.  We heard her speak about her own experiences, diving on the Great Barrier Reef, being part of the team that recently visited Antartica and the science happening on our own back door step.

Congratulations go to the following senior school boys:

3rd Place:  Ciaran Sim - Plants vs Bacteria

2nd Place:  Isaac Rusholme Cobb - Cost Effective Green Insulation

1st Place:  Harry Mills - Suar:  Is it a Drug and are we all Addicted?

Below is a picture of all of the senior finalists.  Congratulations to all of them.  This year the standard was very high and both judges commented on how much work and effort had gone into so many of the exhibits.

Parents making the most of the photo opportunity

Listen Hear!

This term saw the Year One class exploring and investigating concepts based around the theme of sound.  They had lots of fun making their own telephone and working out what was the best way for the sound to travel along the string.

All of the boy got to play with tuning forks, water and various objects and it didn't take long for them to start talking about vibrations, sound travelling and 'wigglying sounds'.