The components of blood!

Challenge: To create a model to show what blood is made from

Year 4 and 5 looked at what blood is made from and what the job of each ingredient is.

The Spaghetti Challenge

Year 4 and 5 took part in 'The Spaghetti Challenge' - a timed engineering challenge where teams had to build the tallest free standing structure possible out of sticks of spaghetti and mini-marshmallows.

Before the challenge started, we discussed the process that engineers have to go through when building a structure and the vital things that they have to consider - from the location of the building and the types of weather that it might incur, to the weight of the furniture, people and building materials that may effect the strength and stability of the building.

Click here find out more about that forces that act on buildings.

First, the teams designed their structure before carrying out the timed challenge. In session 2, the challenge was repeated, giving each team the opportunity to evaluate and improve their design.

Have a look at this website for some interesting building facts http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/engineering/buildings.html

This website gives some ideas about building strong shapes http://www.rogersconnection.com/triangles/

Renewable Energy- Solar Ovens!

Challenge: To create a solar oven that will heat and cook food

Year 2 and 3 looked at renewable and non-renewable sources of energy.

Non renewable energy sources cannot be replaced once they run out.

Renewable energy is made from resources that can be replaced, like wind, water and sunshine.

Renewable energy is also called "clean energy" or "green power" because it doesn't pollute the air or the water.

Have a look at this website to see how wind turbines work http://energy.gov/eere/wind/how-do-wind-turbines-work

This website shows how solar panels work https://www.highlightskids.com/science-questions/how-do-solar-panels-work

Microorganisms

Challenge: Design a microbe of your choice, either a bacterium, a virus or a fungus using the materials provided

This week Year 4 and 5 learned about microbes - living organisms so small that we need a microscope to see them. Whilst some microbes can make us ill, others are useful or even good for us!

Click here to find out more about microorganisms.

Here are the microbes designed by Year 4 and Year 5: