Science Leaders meet NASA scientists

On Friday afternoon, 27 Year 5 and 6 Science Leaders visited Wanaka Airport to find out more about NASA's balloon launch operation. The communications manager, Jeremy Eggers, introduced us to Gabe, a NASA science engineer who gave us a detailed presentation about the history of ballooning, the development of stratospheric balloons, weather balloons and how the NASA balloon program has developed.

 We learnt that Wanaka has been selected as the best location for the current program which aims to find out more about deep space astro physics. This involves the study of the sun, stars and light particles that cannot be seen from the ground. Wanaka is the only current launch location that enables the balloon to fly around the whole world and the goal for this year's mission is to achieve 100 days of flight.

We got to feel some of the material from which the balloon is made and learnt about how the balloon is deployed (brought down again) once it has completed its mission.

Chris, a NASA meteorologist explained how weather conditions on the ground and up in the stratosphere were carefully monitored to ensure the best launch conditions. Once launched the balloon travels up to 30-33km above earth, which is one third of the distance before space (out of the atmosphere) is reached.

Gabe showed us the crane which is in place ready for the launch day, and the huge tankers filled with helium.

 Jim Adams, one of NASA's lead scientists showed us the payload which will be attached to the balloon. In his words it is "just a camera"! However, this camera takes 400, 000 pictures in a second. The aim is for it to take photos of and film streaks of light or protons (light particles) that can give us new information about space. It will help scientists to answer questions about how the universe, stars and planets formed and evolved.

 Debbie Fairbrother, the chief of the Balloon Office Program, showed us the balloon itself which was wrapped up carefully to protect it until launch day.

Here are a few links related to the mission:
Link to balloon tracker (once it launches): https://www.csbf.nasa.gov/newzealand/wanaka.htm

More on NASA’s Scientific Balloon Program: www.nasa.gov/scientificballoons

The Blog on the super pressure balloon that is launched from Wanaka: https://blogs.nasa.gov/superpressureballoon

Full video of last year’s launch: MP4 Web Version

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pwa79jpr0xkyl0w/NZ%20SPB%202016_FULL%20SEQUENCE_ProRes%20FIXED.mp4?dl=0

Video of Principal Investigator Angela Olinto talking about the Extreme Universe Space Observatory mission:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNZhhbv_QMQ&t=6s

Fun Fridays in the Science Lab

We have had a busy and fun-filled science lab over the past two weeks. Science lab is run by the Year 5 and 6 science leaders and is open to all Year 1- 4 pupils on Fridays at 1pm. Here are photos of the children exploring magnets and sound.

Monitoring of Native Moths

Over the past two weeks the Year 6 Science and Enviro Leaders have been helping out with research into native beneficial moths.

Moths are a key part of the wider ecosystem and are important pollinators. Around 2000 native moths have been identified in New Zealand and 86% of these are endemic. That means they live no where else in the world but here.
The MothNet project that Wanaka Primary School pupils have been involved in has helped to collect specimens for scientists to identify. Comparing moth numbers and types from different locations helps scientists to keep a check on moth populations and detect any changes over time or between places.
Here at school the pupils set up Heath Moth traps with light sensors in the native garden area behind Pod 4 and by the Dental Clinic. The moths were collected over 2 consecutive days and the pupils examined and counted them. These results were compared to moths collected at Kidds Bush over the same period of time. The pupils noticed there was a much higher number and wider variety of moths collected from the native bush site (Kidds Bush) compared to the urban environment (at school). We think this may be due to the fact that native bush is a safer habitat for the moths and that there is less light pollution. The pupils also placed tracking tunnels with ink pads next to each moth trap. This was to identify which pests may be around that may predate on moths. At the school sites we identified mouse and hedgehog tracks. At Kidds Bush we identified mouse tracks and possibly possum tracks.

To learn more about this project visit the MothNet Facebook site MothNet or the MothNet webpage Land Care Research.

Thanks so much to Jack Wyeth (Pod 7) and Bryne Bloxham (Pod 6) for their leadership in this project and to Rebecca Picard (Bryne's mum) for helping with the monitoring. Thanks also to Phil Pendlebury (Evie's dad) who tested out all the electrical equipment and provided technical support.

Here are some photos of the children in action:

Collecting moths from the native garden site.

The site by the Dental Clinic

Counting and sorting moths

Collecting moths from Kidds Bush

Checking the tracking tunnels

The Heath Moth trap

Some of the moths collected from Kidds Bush.

Here is what Bryne wrote about being involved with MothNet:

Fun at the Science Lab

This week's theme was water. The children had lots of fun with floating and sinking activities. They also observed what happens when you mix different liquids together - experimenting with cooking oil, food colouring, vinegar, salt and golden syrup. The Year 5 and 6 science leaders did a great job setting things up, explaining, guiding and questioning. All the children who came along to try out the activities said it was lots of fun. We are hoping they come again next week and spread the word to encourage more children to visit the Science Lab.

Science at Wanaka Primary 2017

We are looking forward to another year of great science at Wanaka Primary. The staff science team consists of Sharon (Pod 1), Markus (Pod 7) and Karina (Pod 6). The following teachers have also put their hands up to lead science in their Pod: Nic (Pod 5), Moira (Pod 4), Jo (Pod 3) and Rebecca (Pod 2). 
Thirty-two children from Year 5 and 6 have signed up to become Science Leaders. This term they are helping Sharon to run a Science Lab in Pod 1. This is aimed at encouraging younger children (Years 1-4) to have a go at some fun, hands-on activities. Watch this space for photos of the young scientists in action.

Year 5 and 6 Science Expo 2016

Year 5 and 6 - the Central Otago Science Expo is coming up in Term 4! Now is the time to start thinking about the experiment that you would like to teach to other students.

Remember you must focus on the questions you will ask your students and think about how you can demonstrate the Nature of Science and the science capabilities

- Gathering Data

- Using Evidence

-  Critiquing Evidence

- Interpret Representations

- Engage with science 

(this one should be easy - just take part in the Expo and discuss the experiments with everyone involved)

If you want to take part see Jennie L and come to our first meeting on Wednesday 24th in Pod 7. You must be able to come along to all lunchtime meetings on Wednesdays (Thursdays when EOTC is finished).

Have a look at the photos from last years Expo to get some inspiration!