Famous Scientists and Philosophers 

Our children have been learning about ancient philosophers and their theories to write in depth reports about the discovery of forces. They focused on Geocentric and Heliocentric discoveries of the solar system.

During our different Science topics, we explore the role famous scientist and philosophers have had in the history of their field. During our 'Earth and Space' topic, we explored the movement of the Earth (Geocentric v Heliocentric theories), focusing specifically on Aristotle, Copernicus and Galileo. Meanwhile, during our 'Forces' topic, we explored the role of both Galileo and Newton in developing the 'Theory of Gravity'. 

Keyan: 'I agree with Galileo and the heliocentric theory because if the Earth was geocentric, we would not see different seasons and different times of year and some species may not be able to survive.'

Water resistance 

During our topic of forces, Year 5 conducted an experiment to test water resistance. Using plasticine, we created 3 shapes, each with very different surface area, and dropped them into a long tube of water whilst we timed how long it took them to fall. The result was that the more streamline shape had less water resistance.

Lincoln: 'I created a torpedo shape out of my plasticine. This shape travelled through the water the quickest because it was the most streamlined!'

Pulleys, Levers and Gears

During our forces topic, we explored simple mechanisms including a range of pulleys, levers and gears. We then used different materials to investigate ways in which we could lift different loads by creating our own simple mechanisms. 

We took part in a Zoom call with the designer of the Runcorn bridge to find out about how levers, pulleys and gears were used in its construction.

Rhea: 'Did you know that the Runcorn bridge is a cable-stayed bridge?'

Dissolving Materials

As part of our materials topic, we used our scientific enquiry skills to investigate whether different materials are soluble or insoluble. We planned and carried out a fair and comparative test in order to complete our investigation and as result identified different soluble and insoluble materials. We then established that when a material does dissolve in water, a new solution is formed. 

Making new plants via asexual reproduction

In class we looked at asexual reproduction. We considered its advantages and disadvantages whilst comparing them to the advantages and disadvantages of sexual reproduction. The children then took cuttings from a lavender plant and replanted them in a small pot. We will observe the growth of the plants over time.

"I loved the smell of the lavender plant! I would like to grow my own at home." Alfie