Word Equations

S1 were working together today to build up word equations - the girls got a brick on the wall for the fastest group. Well done all!

Blowing out candles

Georgina brought in her chemical reaction today. She showed how you can make a simple fire extinguisher by mixing vinegar and sodium bicarbonate. The carbon dioxide produced deprived the candle of oxygen so it went out. Well done!

Home Chemistry!

Having contributed to a variety of practical activities to make and break down compounds, I can describe examples of how the properties of compounds are different from their constituent elements.SCN 3-15b

s1 and s2 have the task of researching a chemical reaction that they could demonstrate to the class. Here are some of the S1 pupils experiments. Watch this space for the rest of them!

We are discussing the difference between a chemical change and a physical change. See which experiments you think show a chemical change and why.

More reactions!

More S2 reactions.!

The great outdoors

Here are S2 doing some sampling techniques used to look at the environment. They looked at the connection between the number of plants in an area and the light intensity and pH. They found the less light the less plants and the more acidic the soil the less plants.

They also looked at pitfall traps and identified insects from a key. As well as insects they spotted some frogs, tadpoles and lambs!

Group 1 metals

S1 are studying the periodic table. They are looking at the group 1 metals and how they react with water. Here is a video clip showing sodium and water.

Dig in

It's time for us to start our vegetable planting again this year. Here they are S2 starting to organise our garden area. They are planting potatoes, salad, carrots, radish, garlic and spring onion.

In addition to this they are investigating the difference that fertiliser will make to plant growth by growing potatoes with and without fertiliser. They are growing them in potato bags like the green one in the pictures below.

Some of them need a wee bit of practise though in making sure that they don't trample all over the daffodils we planted last year!

I have collaborated in the design of an investigation into the effects of fertilisers on the growth of plants. I can express an informed view of the risks and benefits of their use. SCN 2-03a