Our First Experiment by rang a 6

Environmental Awareness and Care -Environmental Awareness:  become aware of the importance of the Earth’s renewable and non-renewable resources

-As a class we researched what was a renewable source of energy and what was non-renewable source of energy.

-The class were divided into groups according to the energy source they wished in investigate.

-The energy sources selected were: Solar, Geothermal, Wind, Nuclear & Hydro-Energy

-The class made a prediction on the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly energy source before the research was carried out.  After the research was carried out the class reviewed their choices.

-Each group researched: How the energy was created?, Who uses this type of energy?, The advantages and Disadvantages of the energy source.

-Each group created a project based on the information researched.

-Each group analysed, predicted and planned how to make a model of their energy source.   They investigated and experimented with a variety of materials to find out which materials would be most suitable to create a model of their energy source.  The groups experimented with electrical circuits gradually increasing their circuits with their own hand made switches. Small solar panels were investigated within the circuit.  We used the support of a parent who is a science teacher to assist with our problem solving as well as online videos and tutorials on electrical circuit operation.

-Each group presented their energy source project and demonstrated their energy source using their model for their classmates and for each class in the school.

-Both their fellow classmates and the other classes in the school posed questions for the children on their project.

-The class were entered into the BT Young Scientist Competition in Dublin in January however due to the dangerous weather conditions they were unable to travel.

Our Second Experiment by rang a 4 agus a 5

Living Things: Human life processes:   develop a simple understanding of food and nutrition

4th & 5th class carried out an experiment to test the effect eating various foods has on our reaction times.

Activities were chosen to measure the reaction speed and predictions were made on which foods would cause reaction speed to increase or decrease or stay the same.

The class chose a variety of foods some of which had a high sugar content and others which has a lower sugar content.

Four of the foods chosen contained refined sugars and four other foods natural sugars.

The class wanted to investigate what effect this would have on their end results.

The ‘Human Benchmark’ app was used to test the pupil’s reaction times.

Each pupil ate 22g of each of the foods. & waited 15 minutes after eating each food to allow the sugar time to reach our bloodstream.

The chosen activities involving the measuring of reaction times were carried out after each food was consumed.

The results were recorded.

Our Third Experiment by rang a 6

Plant & Animal Life: Variety & Characteristics of Living Things: observe and explore some ways in which plant and animal behaviour is influenced by, or adapted to, environmental conditions

- The class were divided into three groups and investigated the factors that affect plant growth.

-Group 1 Investigated - Does the material a seed is planted in affect how well it grows? – The group decided upon using soil, sand and tissue paper as materials to investigate for plant growth.  The group made their predictions on which material would  cause the  seed to sprout first? Which one would grow the tallest? Which would look the healthiest and compare results.

-Group 2 Investigated- How does light affect how a seed grows?  - The group decided to plant seeds and place them in three different light settings.  One placed on a windowsill with sunlight, one in a dark cupboard and one placed under a red lamp.  The group made their predictions on the seed to sprout first, the tallest and healthiest and compared the results.

-Group 3 Investigated - How does temperature affect how a seed grows?-  The group planted seeds in the school polytunnel, in the classroom and outside.  The group again their predictions on the seed to sprout first, the tallest and healthiest and compared the results.