NASA balloon launch

Here is a link with lots of great information about this scientific programme running from our airport. I am hoping to have a meeting with one of the NASA scientists over the next day or two. If you have any great questions post them on the blog.

https://www.nasa.gov/scientificballoons

Here is the link for the Engagement survey:

http://www.nzceronline.org.nz/

Science Engagement Survey

This morning groups of children from each Pod completed a Science Engagement survey to help teachers find out about what children think about their science learning. It was great to have the Year 5 and 6 Science Leaders help the younger children complete their surveys. Here they are working with children from Pod 4.

Learning lots at our Science workshop in Wellington

Last week the Science Teaching Leadership Participants took part in lots of engaging science activities at the Royal Society in Wellington. The focus was on gathering evidence, making observations, questioning and thinking critically.

Fun with circuits

Density investigation

Lots of discussion about fizzing and foaming activities

This week our profiles have been posted onto the Royal Society web-site. Click this link to read all about the aims of my programme:

http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/teaching-learning/science-teaching-leadership-programme/profiles/2016-school-and-teacher-profiles/wanaka-primary-school-sharon-pendlebury/

Down at the Orchard with Sharon

Week 1 - Wellington, STLP Induction Symposium
What a fabulous experience to meet Primary and Secondary School teachers from a variety of backgrounds and to hear about the amazing science projects that are taking place all over New Zealand. There are 21 participants in my group and our placement projects range from studying soil, fungi and fruit to tracking and monitoring bats, kiwi, tuatara, birds and fish. We were all fired up and ready to go after our inspirational week at the Induction Symposium.

Weeks 2 and 3 - On Placement at Plant and Food Research in Clyde

The Scientists in the Physiology Lab - counting apricots!

Here I am writing labels to record the tree code for this crop.

Testing whether these apricots are ready to be picked.

Using a refractometer which measures sugar levels.

Samples of apricots are picked, then taken to the lab to be assessed.

These apricots were incredibly juicy and the best I have ever tasted. It can take years for a new variety of apricot to make it to market.

School Science Expo

The science class had a great first session of their science expo. We hosted 4 classes last Thursday afternoon for an afternoon of fun and educational science experiments.

All the science students were amazing at teaching their experiments and working with all the ages - we had Year 5/6 students and our brand new 5 year old students!

Thursday Science Group links

Use these websites to help find some experiments you can use for our school science expo.

You can also think of the experiments that we have been doing in class.

Science Bob

Steve Spangler

Science Kids

Funology