Blog

Science beyond the classroom walls

By Pat Maragos, Science teacher

St. Peter’s is taking science well beyond the classroom walls. Instead of seeing the restrictions regarding labs and other hands-on activities on school grounds as a limitation, students are conducting experiments using the scientific process at home.  The objective is to have them think of science as a subject that can be studied anywhere. 

Year 6 students are learning about simple machines and the scientific method and will be applying their knowledge and skills at home as they are about to start building their very own Rube Goldberg machines using everyday household items. 

In Year 7, students are also working on the scientific method when experimenting and using IT tools to measure distances, analyze data and draw conclusions.  

Year 8 students were encouraged to use nature as their classroom and take pictures of living organisms in their neighbourhoods and beyond as an engagement activity to Ecology. As a follow-up elaboration inquiry, they will be creating models of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and observing their interactions first hand. Let’s hope they are capable of keeping them alive.

Year 9 Chemistry students are reading about the latest breakthroughs in the subject and sharing their findings with each other using Flipgrid at home. After learning about the properties of water, they will try and replicate the Mpemba Effect experiment in their kitchens. In Exponentials, while exploring the amazing neuroscience of the teenage brain, students are measuring their own reaction times and comparing them to those of their parents. Year 10 Biology students were able to extract their own DNA at home before they dive into the fascinating mysteries this macromolecule holds.  In Y10 Physics, students are thinking about the importance of being able to represent reality and to use the appropriate scaling techniques required to create dioramas of physical concepts. Stay tuned for more exciting science in the newsletter to come.

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