1.1 Living Things
Planting bulbs
In senior infants we planted dahlia bulbs.
In winter boys from 5th class dug a trench between the two yards and planted daffodil bulbs which blossomed in spring.
Planting Lettuce
We planted some lettuce seeds in March. Using compost , seeds, window boxes and a splash of water we got our hands dirty and we are looking forward to crunchy ,tasty lettuce very soon!
1.2 Energy and Forces
Design & make Formula 1 tracks in 4th powered by Magnetism…
We attached magnets to toy cars and used another magnet to repel the magnet attached to the car enabling it to move.
We attached magnets to toy cars and used another magnet to repel the magnet attached to the car enabling it to move.
Friction…We learned what friction is (a force that reduces motion between objects that are in contact with each other) and the various types of friction-Fluid, Sliding, Rolling and Static.
We tried the interwoven book pages experiment…
The books will stick together like glue because each page is exerting friction against the page from the other book. When the combined friction from each of the pages is added up, it equals a big force!
We tried the interwoven book pages experiment…
The books will stick together like glue because each page is exerting friction against the page from the other book. When the combined friction from each of the pages is added up, it equals a big force!
Design and Make Balloon Towers: Second class took on the challenge of designing and making Freestanding Balloon Towers
As a class we discussed the importance of a solid foundation to support a stable structure. Using a limited amount of materials we constructed balloon towers, each group were in competition with each other to construct a free standing balloon tower. The class had a lot of fun designing these and discussing how each tower could have been built differently to stabilize structures.
Does air take up space?
Does air take up space? Third Class asked.
When we asked the question many of us gave no as an answer.
But in this experiment we tied a balloon to the top of a bottle, the balloon facing in. When we tried to blow up the balloon we couldn't because the air inside the bottle prevented us from doing so .
When we asked the question many of us gave no as an answer.
But in this experiment we tied a balloon to the top of a bottle, the balloon facing in. When we tried to blow up the balloon we couldn't because the air inside the bottle prevented us from doing so .
Making catapults & exploring trajectory
6th class explored levers by making catapults from lollipop sticks & elastic bands. They then investigated how they could change the trajectory of their catapult by making modifications to their design. They used the iPads to record images & videos of their work and uploaded a digital record to the 6th class Seesaw blog
Exploring gravity & inertia in rang 6
6th class had great fun learning about inertia and exploring gravity with this simple investigation using an orange, a column of paper, some card and a plastic cup. First they learned what inertia is and we discussed their prior knowledge of forces and in particular gravity. Then they worked as a team to create the tower and test the outcome. The investigation was to see would the orange fall into the cup directly below if the card is pulled away. Before we tried it we made predictions and lots believed the orange would not fall into the cup, suggesting that the force from the pull would mean the orange would move in the same direction.
Then we tested it and there was much excitement when it worked - the orange landed in the cup virtually every time! They repeated their tests several times and recorded their results both on their worksheets and on the iPads
(their fantastic videos on both Inertia and catapu;ts are on the 6th class Seesaw blog) Link and password provided in our application to SFI.
Then we tested it and there was much excitement when it worked - the orange landed in the cup virtually every time! They repeated their tests several times and recorded their results both on their worksheets and on the iPads
(their fantastic videos on both Inertia and catapu;ts are on the 6th class Seesaw blog) Link and password provided in our application to SFI.
1.3 Materials.
Bouncing Eggs in Second Class
We discussed how eggshells are quite strong to protect the chicks inside. We noted that it is the calcium carbonate that makes the eggshell so tough. We decided to investigate and predict the effect of vinegar (acid) on the calcium in the eggshell. While most concluded that the eggshell would erode- no one thought the eggs would bounce when the eggshell was removed!
We discussed how eggshells are quite strong to protect the chicks inside. We noted that it is the calcium carbonate that makes the eggshell so tough. We decided to investigate and predict the effect of vinegar (acid) on the calcium in the eggshell. While most concluded that the eggshell would erode- no one thought the eggs would bounce when the eggshell was removed!
Investigating Rocks in 4th Class:
We collected rock samples from various locations and examined them closely.
We then investigated the effects that the following materials had on the rocks-vinegar, nails, coins and magnets.
We collected rock samples from various locations and examined them closely.
We then investigated the effects that the following materials had on the rocks-vinegar, nails, coins and magnets.
Marbling Experiment in 4th Class:
We created lovely art work using the marbling technique. We used poster paint which was mixed with white spirits to give it the correct consistency to work with. It sat nicely on the water in the tray allowing us to create wonderful colours and patterns.
We created lovely art work using the marbling technique. We used poster paint which was mixed with white spirits to give it the correct consistency to work with. It sat nicely on the water in the tray allowing us to create wonderful colours and patterns.
Soap making in rang 6
At Christmas in 6th class the children explored materials & change while making some lovely soaps. They chopped the base, added colours and essential oils, carefully melted them the poured them into the mould and waited for them to harden. They were absolutely delighted with their results.
Exploring Materials & Change in First Class
We carried out an experiment to investigate what happens when we mix sugar with water, salt with water , and oil with water. We predicted first and then carried out the experiment.
1.4 Environmental Awareness and Care.
Christmas Lanterns made by 4th Class-we used recycled plastic 1l and 2l bottles to create the lantern shape and centrepiece for our Christmas crafts.
Also, 1.4 Litter Picking/Environmental Awareness Speaker visited Caherleaheen NS
Joan Kerins of Tralee Bramble Group came to Caherleaheen in March and gave a talk to the pupils of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th about the litter that is thrown away in our community and told the pupils why it important to go out litter picking and to volunteer to do so.
The school also liaised with Tralee Lions Club and groups of teachers and pupils picked litter in town on three Sunday Mornings in March/April 2022
The school also liaised with Tralee Lions Club and groups of teachers and pupils picked litter in town on three Sunday Mornings in March/April 2022
Above is a photo of our volunteer litter pickers, what a great job they did too!
1.5. Participation in Science Week.
"We Made Catapults"
All our school participated in Science Week, both in class, outdoors and at home. They uploaded their Science at home on their Seesawportfolios. Here are two examples of Science Week at School
1. Pupils from Ms.Ann's class made catapults. We made small, big and Mega catapults. We modified our catapults each step of the way to improve them.
We did an experiment to check out which catapult was the most effective. We used each catapult to shoot various items including tin foil, rubber, blue tack, a marble and a Ping Pong ball. Have a look at the results.
1. Pupils from Ms.Ann's class made catapults. We made small, big and Mega catapults. We modified our catapults each step of the way to improve them.
We did an experiment to check out which catapult was the most effective. We used each catapult to shoot various items including tin foil, rubber, blue tack, a marble and a Ping Pong ball. Have a look at the results.
Science Week in 4th Class
2. Science Week in 4th Class:
Leakproof Plastic Bag Experiment Demo
Much to everyone’s surprise, the bag won’t leak when poked with a pencil! This is because the bag is made of a polymer – which is long, flexible chains of molecules. When you poke the pencil through the bag, the molecules spread apart and then seal themselves around the pencil.
Leakproof Plastic Bag Experiment Demo
Much to everyone’s surprise, the bag won’t leak when poked with a pencil! This is because the bag is made of a polymer – which is long, flexible chains of molecules. When you poke the pencil through the bag, the molecules spread apart and then seal themselves around the pencil.
1.6 Our Garden is a Citizen Science Project involving Parents, Staff, Pupils and Organic Gardeners, all year long!
2021: The children of 8 families signed up to maintain the school garden over the summer holidays. Each family signed up for one week each and were free to help themselves to veg and herbs.
4th Class and Ms Eveleen harvested potatoes in early October'21 and we used apples grown in the school to make apple sauce .
They also made mashed potato, wedges and some lovely apple sauce to go with the pork sausages we cooked. It went down a treat!
4th Class and Ms Eveleen harvested potatoes in early October'21 and we used apples grown in the school to make apple sauce .
They also made mashed potato, wedges and some lovely apple sauce to go with the pork sausages we cooked. It went down a treat!