1.1 Living Things
Bananas about DNA!
Scientist Antoinette Costello introduced 4th class to DNA, and they went 'bananas' for it!
|
|
6th class learned all about the skeleton and how our bodies move.
Plant life: Exploring how plants grow and growing grass heads in rang 3 & 4. The children each filled their own container of soil, added seeds and then took care of them by watering them regularly and we observed what happened over the course of a few weeks. A control was placed in a dark cover and children were able to compare and contrast between the plants that got sunlight and water and the control which did not.
The Junior Infants learned about the different parts of a pumpkin at Halloween.
The Junior Infants went on a 'Spring Hunt' to identify the signs of Spring in the school environment.
Plants and Growth 4th and 5th class
We are well into spring now so it was a good time to take a closer look at how plants grow.
To demonstrate transpiration we first took a look at the transpiration process.
Next we pick dandelions and were able to squeeze some water out of the stem to show that it was there.
Next we cut some celery and placed it in a jar of water after we had added some food colouring.
What did we think would happen?
Well, we gave it a few hours and checked the celery. As predicted ,some of the water had started to move up the stalk. We continued to observe over the next few days and saw how much further the water had risen up the stalk.
Finally, we covered a plant with a plastic bag and left it for a few days. We observed that some droplets of watere could be seen to have formed on the plastic.
To demonstrate transpiration we first took a look at the transpiration process.
Next we pick dandelions and were able to squeeze some water out of the stem to show that it was there.
Next we cut some celery and placed it in a jar of water after we had added some food colouring.
What did we think would happen?
Well, we gave it a few hours and checked the celery. As predicted ,some of the water had started to move up the stalk. We continued to observe over the next few days and saw how much further the water had risen up the stalk.
Finally, we covered a plant with a plastic bag and left it for a few days. We observed that some droplets of watere could be seen to have formed on the plastic.
1.2 Energy and Forces
Floating and sinking
Second class learned all about floating and sinking, especially about bouyancy. We tested out two fruit, orange and banana. We tested if they would float with or without their skin. We discovered that the fruit without its skin would sink and with its skin would float. We discovered that this was due to increased bouyancy, due to the skin being porous and filled with tiny air pockets, keeping it afloat in the water.
Second class learned all about floating and sinking, especially about bouyancy. We tested out two fruit, orange and banana. We tested if they would float with or without their skin. We discovered that the fruit without its skin would sink and with its skin would float. We discovered that this was due to increased bouyancy, due to the skin being porous and filled with tiny air pockets, keeping it afloat in the water.
Boat Construction to test bouyancy
Second class designed their own boats and we tested how bouyant they were. We predicted if they would float or sink and what contributed to the result.
Second class designed their own boats and we tested how bouyant they were. We predicted if they would float or sink and what contributed to the result.
Air and Pressure
After reading about submarines and Creatures of the Deep we observed and carried out 2 experiments on air pressure.
In the first experiment we submerged a glass with tissues at the bottom underwater and observed how the air pressure prevented the tissue from getting wet.
In the second experiment we smoothed out a sheet of newspaper over a ruler and saw how difficult it was to raise the paper using the ruler due to the downward air pressure on it.
In the first experiment we submerged a glass with tissues at the bottom underwater and observed how the air pressure prevented the tissue from getting wet.
In the second experiment we smoothed out a sheet of newspaper over a ruler and saw how difficult it was to raise the paper using the ruler due to the downward air pressure on it.
One Sunny Day.....
We made mega bubbles! Why not give it a go. All you need is 2 thick plastic straws. Thread string through them. Fill a large container with water and fairy liquid and trail the straws and string through the mixture.
No leak bag
3rd & 4th learned about polymers with this fun investigation. The bag doesn't leak as the polymers push back against the pencils and seal the hole, preventing any leaks!
1.3 Materials.
Second class explored and investigated the properties and characteristics of sheep's wool through felting. We talked about sheep's wool, its uses, texture and how it is a natural fibre. We explored how the fibres of sheep's wool can join and merge together when manipulated with soapy water and rubbing. We created pictures using this technique.
Waterproofing investigation: 3rd & 4th explored the properties of oil and water and investigated what happens when an oil based product (vaseline) is added to material and observed the results.
Materials & change: The Junior Infants, 3rd and 4th class investigated how to make homemade butter!
Materials & Change : Marbling
First Class investigated what happened when marbling inks & water interact . The children had great fun experimenting with different colours and shades of colours to create a marvellous marbling shamrock .
Frozen balloons!
6th class took advantage of the icy weather and decided to make some colourful ice globes. They filled the balloons with water and food colouring and left in the school yard overnight. They were amazed with the results! The children who left theirs under a tree or a bush discovered that their balloon was sheltered from the frost and did not freeze as well as one left out in the open.
Caherleaheen's famous jam!
Under the expert guidance of Ms Bríd, the whole school were involved in our annual jam making. The children worked really hard in Autumn to pick lots of blackberries and at Christmas the jam making was in full swing. The results were fantastic as always.
Homemade chips from our own garden are always a real treat!
The Junior Infants planted Tulip bulbs, Daffodil bulbs and conkers in Autumn and are enjoying watching them grow in Spring.
Juniors also learned about how is energy is transported in plants using flowers and coloured food dye.
Smoothie Making for 4th and 5th Class
Some pupils from 5th Class decided on a recipe and measured out all the ingredients needed to make a strawberry smoothie for all the children in 4th and 5th classes. They really enjoyed it after their football training session!
Puffy Paint Pictures!
We made puffy paint using a mixture of shaving foam and poster paint. We had to keep adding paint to the foam to get the desired colour. It was a lot of fun!
Pitta Pizza Making
We made some delicious pizzas using a pitta base and made our very own tomato sauce. We used passata, some olive oil, fresh basil, crushed garlic and tomato purée. We topped them with pepperoni and cheese. All the children in 4th & 5th enjoyed a pitta pizza each!
1.4 Environmental awareness & care
Litter picking groups
We have regular litter picking with groups from several classes working to keep our school grounds & locality litter free
1.5 Our Garden is a Citizen Science Project involving Parents, Staff, Pupils and Organic Gardeners, all year long!
Spring Planting in First Class
First Class put their green fingers to good use when they planted pumpkin seeds, courgette, peas, radishes and lettuce recently. Great fun was had by all.