Glucose testing

Year 5 have been testing food for glucose. 

First they selected a food to test and then they added some Benedict's solution. 

Then they placed the boiling tube into a water bath for three minutes and observed any colour change. 

Year 8 energy investigation

Today the year 8 classes used the Slomo app on the iPads to help measure how high our smiley pop-up toys jumped.

The idea was to see how much elastic potential energy they had in their springs.

The toy was primed

And the flight captured using the iPad's camera on the Slomo app.

The flight could then be reviewed in slow motion, even frame by frame, to see exactly how high the toy flew.

This gave us a very accurate figure. Then the mass was taken and converted into newtons

The energy can then be calculated by newtons x metres (although this does not allow for losses from air resistance or the noise it makes.)

Interestingly Josh discovered that by putting a primed toy on the electronic balance the reading would increase by about 50% when the toy jumped. He couldn't see this without Slomo-ing the screen as the increased was only shown briefly.

This could be one you could try at home by jumping on the bathroom scales! Do let me know your results if you have a go.

Year 5 test food for starch

Year 5 have started the year learning about food groups.

This week they conducted their first experiment. They were testing food for starch. 

First they selected an item of food to test. Then they added three drops of iodine. 

Next they carefully observed any change in colour.

If it turned purple/black it means starch is present.

Then we recorded our results.

Photosynthesis experiment

Year 7 are using pondweed to see if more light increases the rate of photosynthesis

They are looking for bubbles of oxygen

Here are some bubbbles caught on video

And try it at different distances from a lamp

Each distance is timed for a minute

New iPads

The science department has invested in some more iPads. Here they are with our year 8 classes. The pupils are working on IRP's latest iBook - Energy. This is a great introduction to the topic with pages of interactive activities to help understand the basics of the new topic.

The children use the iPads in pairs for this exercise. This way they can discuss the material which helps them to assimilate it properly.

They will be using the Slomo app later to help measure energy in spring toys. 

Year 3 @ sci museum

Today Year 3 went up to London to visit the Science Museum

 

 

 

Rocket car video