SCIENCE, SCIEnce, science!

We've been investigating rocks as part of our Science learning this term. So far, we've looked at the earth's layers and rocks.

We've also tested a HEAP of rocks using the scratch test, another test for hardness using Fredreich Moh's ( a German minerologist) hardness scale and the acid test.

We were able to categorise rocks into 3 types - sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. We researched the qualities/characteristics of these different rocks.

Next, we investigated the rock cycle with the help of wax crayons.

First we 'weathered' our rocks. This meant grating crayons.

 
Next, we wrapped our 'weathered rocks' in tin foil and applied pressure using clamps. This was to create sedimentary rocks.

 
After applying the pressure, we unwrapped our tin foil to examine how 'rock fragments' had formed.
We observed that they had compacted together. The 3 colours had formed layers. The fragments were hard but still crumbly. This was our sedimentary rock.

 
The next step was to wrap the sedimentary 'rock' up again. This time, we were investigating metamorphic rocks. We applied a lot more pressure with our clamps this time and left the foil packages clamped overnight.

 
We then unwrapped our metamorphic rocks.

 
We observed that our metamorphic rocks were much harder. The crayon fragments were very tightly compacted. It was stronger than the sedimentary rocks.

Then, we investigated igneous rocks. We melted half of the metamorphic rock put the melted 'rock' in the freezer to cool quickly. We melted the other piece and cooled it slowly, at room temperature. We observed that the igneous 'rock' that had cooled quickly was smooth, very thin and glass like. The 'rock' that had cooled slowly, was much thicker and had little bubbles trapped in it.

Igneous 'rock' that has cooled slowly.

Igneous 'rock' that has cooled quickly.

We learnt lots about the rock cycle by testing, observing, discussing and recording.

'Quake City' and 'Rock On!'

Last Tuesday we traveled by bus to the inner city to experience the science behind earthquakes at 'Quake City' and then walked to the Canterbury Museum to 'Rock On' and learnt about igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. This was part of our geology based inquiry called 'Rocks Talk' which is all about land formations and their causes. It was extremely informative and interesting. We really enjoyed ourselves and the learning!

 

 

 

     

 

Inquisitive Inquirers!

Our inquiry this term is called 'The Secret Lives of Living Things'!

We are completely in the midst of tuning in to a variety of different things in response to this theme.

So far, we have looked at bees, pollination, flowers, germination, worms and insects! We've had experts in including Nicky who did some artworks on the threats to bees and designed a game, and, we've had Dougal, an expert in worm farms in to talk to us and show us a real, live worm farm! We've also pulled flowers apart to find the male and female parts and found out what flowers look like under the microscope. This week, we're going down to the river to look at water health and other bugs we might find there and we're also going on a trip called 'Fertilising for the future'. 

 

 

Pollination 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

Dougal, the earthworm and Tiger worm expert!

 

Our hovering eggs

In our first experiment we poured fresh water into the cup. Next we gently dropped the egg into the cup but it sank to the bottom of the water. This was because the egg was more dense than the water.

In our second experiment we added salt to the fresh water. This time we dropped the egg in and it floated on top. This was because we added salt to the fresh water which caused the water to become more dense. The egg was less dense than the salty water so it floated on top.

In our last experiment, we poured salty water half way up the cup. Then we put the egg in and it stayed floating. Next we slowly poured in the fresh water. The egg stayed hovering in the middle of the salt water and the fresh water because it was more dense than the fresh water but less dense than the salt water.

Emma Prince

Density

We have been studying the concept of density in relation to  floating and sinking. We made a "magic column" with golden syrup, oil and water and then floated different objects in them.  The layers occurred in the cup because the liquids had different densities. The golden syrup was most dense and sunk to the bottom while the oil was the least dense and floated on the top. The objects had different densities also which made them float in various parts of the cup.

In another experiment we had to make an egg hover in the middle of a cup of water. The equipment we were give was 2 eggs, fresh water, salt and 2 cups. 

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