Category: Science Foundation Ireland – Discover Science & Maths

Evidence of Herbertstown National School’s commitment to achieving an award for STEM Excellence.

Step 1 – Science

Step 2 – Technology

Step 3 – Engineering

Step 4 – Maths

Step 5 – STEM Show & Tell

Rollercoasters

Staff

In science class with Miss Kennelly we were learning about kinetic and potential energy and gravity. We made rollercoasters out of insulation foam and masking tape. The challenge was to get a marble to go around a loop and into a cup at the end of the rollercoaster. Before we released the marble down the rollercoaster it had built up lots of potential energy. It was difficult for the marble to get around the loop because gravity was pulling the marble down, but kinetic energy helped the marble get around the loop and into the cup. It was really fun experimenting with the different types of energy and also building a rollercoaster. It helped us learn a lot.
Christian and Lucy

Electric Circuits

Staff

4th & 5th class make simple circuits.

4th & 5th had been investigating electricity in the past week and on Friday they gained experience in using electrical components to construct circuits. They also used symbols to record the circuits they created.

Science Week

Staff

4th & 5th Class look at a couple of practical experiments as part of Science Week 2019.

Experiment 1: The pupils looked at how a simple Carbon Dioxide fire extinguisher works.

Firstly, baking soda was added to vinegar in a jug. This created a reaction where carbon dioxide was produced. Due to the fact that carbon dioxide is more dense than air, the carbon dioxide stayed in the jug for the most part (although it was not visible).

Pupils where then able to ‘pour’ the carbon dioxide onto a candle and extinguish the flame.

Experiment 2: Hot Water vs Cold Water

In experiment 2 the children observed how hot water is less dense than cold water. This was demonstrated by placing a glass of hot water on top of a glass of cold water. The hot water (which had green food colouring in it) stayed on top of the cold water (which was blue). To further prove the theory, we repeated the steps of the experiment but this time placed the cold on top of the hot water. In this instance, the cold water rushed downwards and mixed with the hot as the hot itself would have initially have been trying to rise.

Crystal Drop Workshop – Fourth Class

Staff

Martin and Louise from SSPC came to the school on Wednesday morning to for a workshop which featured a talk about crystals and also saw the children getting the chance to design and make a device which could safely ‘drop’ a crystal to the ground.

The boys and girls had a great time designing their devices and then working in small groups to construct their design using a finite set of resources.

The gallery and videos below show the children working on their designs and also testing them when completed.

Exploring School Grounds for fruit/seeds

Staff

4th & 5th class explore the local school environment for examples of fruit & seeds which would be a food source for birds and other wildlife.

The children found examples of blackberries and ‘haws’ and learned about blackberry bushes and hawthorn trees. We also looked at seed dispersal and the importance of birds to this process. Wind dispersal was also discussed and the sycamore tree on the school grounds allowed everyone to look at ‘helicopters’ and how they can be carried by the wind.