Term 2In Term 2, we will be studying Investigation with a focus on Chemistry. Please visit again soon for images and information on an exciting term of hands-on learning and fun!
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Investigation AssignmentStage 3 students have a major Science assignment this term. They are to design, plan, carry out and report on an individual scientific investigation into a topic of their choice. Details of the assignment and the assessment schedule can be found here.
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What's online?We used an IPad App in class to learn about elements and their structures that proved extremely popular. I will use this space to put links to it and other online resources that may be of interest.
NOVA Elements - Ipad Application FREE! NOVA Elements - Web version |
How do Elements combine to make CompoundsWatch this explosive video from Nova Elements to understand how elements combine to make compounds
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The Periodic Table SongFor those of you who can't get enough of those elements have a look at this video and song about the Periodic Table
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THE GENIUS OF MENDELEEVThe Periodic Table was created by Russian scientist Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869. Although other scientists - notably Lothar Meyer - also produced periodic tables of the elements, Mendeleev was the only one who accurately predicted elements that hadn't even been discovered yet. Watch the video on the left to see just what a genius Mendeleev was.
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POLYMER CHEMISTRY
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You are surrounded by polymers in your life. Plastic, elastic, PET, rubber, starch ...... they are all polymers. But what are polymers? Watch the video on the right to find out more about polymers.
There is also this site for everything you could possibly want to know about polymers appropriately called Macrogalleria: Cyberwonderland of Polymer Fun! |
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Red Cabbage ChemistryChemicals that change colours in household liquids? What's not to like in this lesson on acids and bases? We also learnt how to construct a table to write down our results - not as straightforward as one might imagine - working out what labels and titles to use for maximum efficiency.
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OMG! It's a Gas!The closest we'll come to 'exploding' things inside the classroom (but wait for next week!). The simplest of kitchen chemicals - vinegar and baking soda - but lots of fantastic learning about the importance of replicates, sources of error and writing a good analysis. Also - SO MUCH FUN!!!
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Alka Seltzer Rockets!!!!Yes - rockets. It's exactly the same physics principle - action and opposite reaction - that's used in rockets blasting off into space but obviously completely different chemistry powering our little film canisters up, up and away!
We learnt about the effect of particle size on reaction time and also the importance of controlling variables in investigations. |
Polymer Chemistry aka The Chemistry of SlimeWith the slime craze in full swing in the playground - it was fitting that we spent some time understanding exactly what a polymer was and how we are surrounded by all sorts of polymers all the time. From the proteins in our bodies, to the chemicals in our food and of course all the many many synthentic polymers that make up our modern world.
We then got to make our own BLOB. Who knew that Stage 3 students could go so crazy over a bit of PVA glue mixed with borax?? If it turns into a stretchy slimy lump of slime which could even bounce if made right, who could blame them? |
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Food Chemistry - Finally!!
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We spent the term being very careful not to taste or eat any of the chemicals we used. So it was fitting that we ended it by looking into the chemistry of food - discovering what makes chillies spicy, chocolate toxic to dogs, what prevents honey from going 'off' and finally by creating a fizzy delicious treat using our knowledge of chemistry. Sherbet!!
Although - as the photographs show - not everyone was an instant fan ... they all still came back for seconds though!! |