Week 8 term 4 Reflection

Last week, we improved our space landers and tested them again. Then we went to the gym, dropped them from the sitting area, and saw which one took the longest to fall. Makerita and I didn’t take long to fall down, and it crashed down. Then we did our student-led conferences, our deep learning competencies were Culture – Pūkengatanga and Creativity. Then we make rockets using a match, tinfoil, a paper clip, a pin, and fire. We wrapped the head of the match with tin foil, then we made a stand using the paper clip, then we had a candle beneath the match with tin foil, then the tin foil shot off.

Here is a photo of me and makerita making the space lander

Week 7 Term 4 Reflection

Space landers – Last week, we created space landers. Space landers are a thing that descend towards, then come to rest on an astronomical body. The time it took for me and makerita’s space lander was 1.72 seconds. The materials we are using to make the space lander are:

  • 4 pipe cleaners
  • 4 straws
  • 5 ice block sticks
  • 2 paper plates
  • 2 paper cups
  • A bulldog clip
  • A length of tape
  • A balloon

Here is a photo of me and makerita’s space lander:

On Tuesday, we did a CO2 (carbon dioxide) test and an H (hydrogen) test, and an O (oxygen) test. Sophie and me went together. We did this because the year 10s had done it the week before, and most of them were on an outdoor ed trip. The CO2 testing – you needed 1 test tube holder,  1 piece of marble chip, HCL acid. You add the acid first, then the marble chip, and it will fizz the was the CO2 is released

The hydrogen test was adding some acid into a test tube and adding a piece of magnesium, then putting your thumb over the top of the test tube and light a stick on fire, and holding it near the top of the test tube. When you lift your thumb off and the fire is near, it will make a pop sound

Here are some photos:

Week 5 & 6 Term 4 Reflections

Week 5 – We learnt about seasons, tides, and we looked at our slime again. Seasons happen because the Earth is tilted at 23.5 degrees, so whatever part of the Earth is facing the sun is in summer, and the other side of the world is in winter. Makerita’s and I’s slime has gone sickly, and we might add more borax to it.

Here is the link to the slideshow about seasons: Link

Week 6 – We learnt about astronauts, and we are making a space launcher. We looked at how much training they have to do, how much they make, and what the max and min the space suit can handle. The materials we are using to make the space launcher are:

  • 4 pipe cleaners
  • 4 straws
  • 5 ice block sticks
  • 2 paper plates
  • 2 paper cups
  • A bulldog clip
  • A length of tape
  • A balloon

Here is a link to the work I did about astronauts and spaceships: Link

Week 4 Term 4 Reflection

Last week, we made a different smile using PVA and borax. We made a different slime because the other slime was very sticky. This slime was entertaining to play with. Once we got it right, there was a lot of mixing. I worked with Makerita.

The recipe is:

1. Work in pairs

2. Measure 30mls of PVA glue

3. Pour into a container

4. Add glitter if you want

5. 1 person mixes, and the other adds the borax

6. If you add too much borax, then your slime will go rubbery

I think this slime works much better than the one we did a few weeks ago. The second slime was the better one out of the two.

We timed how long it would take the slime to touch the table. My first time was >1min, and the second one was 1:21. the longest

Here is a photo of the slime we made:

Air Layering

Air layering is a plant propagation method that allows roots to form on a stem while it remains attached to the parent plant. This is achieved by wounding the stem, wrapping the wound in moist dirt, and covering it with a waterproof material. Some plants that do well in air layering are magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons, figs, azaleas, and citrus trees. 

Term 4 Week 3 Reflection

Last week, we created a galaxy out of our slime because it was not playable, so we placed it on black paper with glitter and small stars. Here is a photo of me and Makarita’s slime. The name of the slime is the great big slime glob.

 

Then we covered some topics related to climate change. Here is a link to the work I did about climate change and weather patterns. Link

Week 9 reflection

Last week, we made connections to Conservation Week, Bird of the Year, and Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori.

Whakatauki: Mauria Te Pono, which translates to believe in yourself.

Whakatauki meaning: to make successful, to complete, or to bring fruition.

We learned about planets and which one is closest to the sun and which is farthest away.

Here is a link to a slideshow about planets.