To enhance their learning about energy sources, P5/6/7 visited Torness Power Station to find out how Nuclear power contributes to Scotland’s provision of electricity. Thanks to edf and tour guides at Torness for a fantastic, informative visit. A has been inspired to create his own lego turbine, complete with security guard.
Thanks to YMI (Youth Music Initiative), P5-7 were very lucky to be selected to receive a visit from two incredibly talented musicians who demonstrated how to change the “Pitch” and the “Pulse” in music to help create the “Magic…”
Pitch, Pulse and Magic… on PhotoPeach
P5-7 had a fantastic time at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. Our guide, Lizzie, showed us where to find some of the amazing plants, originating from the Rainforest, which we use for flavouring, food and clothing. We found out that you can get socks made out of Bamboo!
We also found out that Scotland’s own Silver Birch can be used to make products such as shoes, bags and a very delicious syrup – Yum!
Rainforest Adventure at the Botanic Gardens on PhotoPeach
P5-7 used Indian Ink to create these beautiful drawings of wildflowers that had gone to seed.
Aren’t they beautiful?
Well done everybody!
Drawing in Ink on PhotoPeach
The children worked in Cooperative Learning groups to share what they already knew about the Rainforest, then each found three new facts to share with the class.
What do we know about the Rainforest? on PhotoPeach
This week P6/7 enjoyed a great trip to Dynamic Earth. This attraction is closed on Mondays so we had the whole place to ourselves! We started with the Showdome which is a 360 degree film experience on ‘Super Volcanoes’. Amazing!
Everybody enjoyed the workshop, ‘Quake, Rattle and Roll’ where they learned the science behind hurricanes, volcanoes and tsunamis via interactive investigations. Making a tornado in a bottle was very popular!
Dynamic Earth- Quake Rattle and Roll on PhotoPeach
We had a visit from Sharon Edgar, a construction engineering careers advisor. She talked about the engineering work required to build the new bridge across the Forth and we learned about the various jobs and skills involved in its construction.
We took on an engineering challenge to build a giant tetrahedron in less than 2 hours. At first we learned how to use the wooden dowling and elastic bands to build individual triangular pyramids. Next we worked together with our hometeam members using our pyramids to create a bigger structure.
Building a Giant Tetrahedron on PhotoPeach
Over the afternoon we learned lots of skills: problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, organisation, management and leadership. These skills are all used in the engineering industry.
This was a cooperative learning activity. We worked with our home-teams to make a volcano using a plastic drinking bottle, tin foil and play dough. We painted it and added foliage to make it look more realistic.
We created a simulation of an erupting volcano using baking powder, red food colouring, washing up liquid and vinegar. The rest of the school came to watch the eruptions.
Volcanic Eruptions! on PhotoPeach
Why did this happen?
The red lava is the result of a chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar. In this reaction carbon dioxide gas is produced and pressure builds up inside the plastic bottle until the gas bubbles out of the volcano. This is a good representation of what happens in real volcanoes.