Balloon Madness Observations

We were learning about Newton's Laws of Motion, we focussing on the third law - 'for every action there is an equal or opposite reaction.' We tested this law by creating a balloon rocket. To create the rocket we taped a balloon to a straw then treading a long bit of string though the straw.  

What happened? When we release the balloon, the pressurized air in the balloon pushes against the air around the balloon sending it in the opposite direction down the string.

I found it easy to to understand what was happening and to find lots of different ways to change the experiment up a bit. One time I got the members of my science group to hold it high at one end and low at the other, I also got them to shake the string while the balloon was traveling along.   

I found it challenging to do nothing as this project was quite easy, the only thing that was tricky was getting this blog post done before the deadline, because I had lots of other things to do so it just slipped out of my mind. But that's not really related to the actual observation. 

Next time I will try tapping into some aerodynamics, to make the balloon move faster or on more of an angle. We did part one of another observation before this one, but as we did only the first part I will not talk about it on this blog post. 

Reading Survival Kit Poster

We were learning about Tsunamis in our reading this week, using our multi-model reading slides me and my reading group, Waikanae have over three online books and one National Geographic video. This week our main text was called the Hungry Wave.    

 

I found it easy to choose what would go in my survival kit, such as water, canned food, a radio and a first aid kit. Basically all the essentials, The other thing I found easy was to polyline all the things in my poster because all the things were pretty basic, or I just had to duplicate it until there was enough.

I found it challenging to use just the right amount of words so it was not a whole descriptive story, but not so little that it was only a few words and didn't tell you anything at all. I ended up with quite a few thought bubbles but in each one there was around about the right amount of words.

Next time I will try to add more detail to my bag so it looks like it could hold more and is even more impressive compared to how it is now. Another thing I could work on is having more pockets showing on the bag so all of the necessities that I polylined aren't all sticking out the top.   

Persuasive Writing Publishing

We were learning about creating pieces of persuasive writing. Our topic was is it important to be prepared for a natural disaster. I believe that there is absolutely no point in being prepared for a natural disaster because one could happen at any time, no matter what plan you had.  

I found it easy to add emotive language and create a conclusion that left the reader's mind whirling and confused, strung between their original opinion and mine. If you don't believe me take a peek at my writing. The other thing I found easy was to create a title that hooked the reader in (see my second slide).    

I found it challenging to find evidence to support my opinion because most of the websites that I found were all about how to be prepared for a natural disaster, not why there is no point in being prepared! I ended up searching the web, and found some pretty good results, including one from Wikipedia. 

Next time I will treat my writing like it is a piece of writing, not like it is an inquiry. A lot of my writing sounded like it was part of the inquiry we were doing in the afternoon, so I ended up deleting quite a bit. I now have a paragraph that is barely three lines long!  

Milk Explosion Observation

We were learning about molecules - fatty acids, soap & minerals. The experiment that went along with this subject was to pour milk into a bowl then a few drops of different colored food coloring. We then dipped a cotton bud into some soap, completely saturating it. Once we had done that we dipped the cotton but into the pool of milk to see the reaction, which was that the food coloring retreated from the soap.   

I found it hard to do nothing really but I found it slightly difficult to get all the ingredients in the right place so the reaction was as impressive as it could be. I ended up getting the food coloring almost anywhere but the middle which was where I was aiming for! 

I found it easy to understand the reaction because I had done this last year for my surface tension experiment. The soapy cotton bud  broke the surface tension, causing the food coloring to recede rapidly.   

I really enjoyed watching the reaction between the soapy chemicals and the fatty acids and minerals. The color was mesmerizing, it melded at the end creating a sort of bluey green. 

Next time I will include my buddy group a bit more, ask them some questions and request their opinion. After all three minds are better than one! I can't do everything myself can I?

Earthquake Animation

I was learning about the three main earthquakes in New Zealand. (Napier Earthquake - 1931, Christchurch Earthquake - 2011 and the Kaikoura Earthquake - 2016.) we had to file some facts on these earthquakes then create a timeline in our inquiry books about NZ's shallow earthquakes. After we had finished a that we got to do a create, I chose to do a animation over two types of posters, a comic strip and a rap.

I found it easy to choose what the moral of my animation would be, it just popped into my head as I was finishing my last slide. To see what the moral was view my animation below. The other thing I found easy was to finish my animation before the deadline. I finished it so quickly that I still had enough time to create a rap afterwards. 

I really enjoyed using all sorts of different media to create my animation, eg shapes, polyline and backgrounds. I also enjoyed putting something funny in at the beginning, to see what it is take a peek at my said animation. 

Next time I will maybe hint my moral sooner on. Or I will put a bit more effort into making the characters in my animation have appropriate facial expressions for that moment. The only other thing I could improve on is having more people in my animation. 

Lava Lamp Observations

In our second science lesson we were learning about density and polarity. We created an example lava lamp using the ingredients noted below, the main ones was water and oil. We had to discover which one was denser. 

We figured out that the water was denser because it stayed at the bottom of the lava lamp. Adding the aspirin caused the said pill to fizz and dissolve creating carbon dioxide (Co2) bubbles. The bubbles floated between the oil and the water letting off carbon dioxide whenever it got to the surface.

The ingredients we used to create the lava lamp was Oil, Water, Food coloring and aspirin tablets. At the end it look really interesting and almost hypnotic.

I enjoyed doing the experiment in my buddy group after the example by Mrs Bava and the other groups. In my group was Lucas S, Liam J and Me. I am the only girl in my group, not that it really matters.

         

Bath Bomb Observations

Our first science elective lesson was based on acids and acalines, we had to observe the chemical reactions between the citric acid and baking soda. We each created a bath bomb for mothers day, using the ingredients listed below we mixed them together then left them to set overnight.  

This is what we observed: When a bath bomb comes in contact with water, the baking soda and citric acid react to make carbon dioxide bubbles. This is an acid–base reaction, where baking soda (also called sodium bicarbonate) is a weak base and citric acid is a weak acid.    

This is the bath bomb recipe you will need: (dry) - 1 cup of baking soda 1/2 cup of citric acid 1/2 cup of epsom salt (wet) - 1 tsp of water 1 tsp of essential oil 3 tsp of olive oil / coconut oil / Almond oil 2-3 drops of food coloring Measure out and whisk together your dry ingredients in a large bowl. Next, in a small cup, mix together the wet ingredients. This is also where you’ll add the essential oils. The next step is very important. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. You’ll want to do this very slowly, adding little drops at a time while mixing. The citric acid is what causes the bath bombs to fizz when it comes into contact with water. Adding the wet ingredients slowly minimizes this affect. Then, firmly press the mixture into the mould. Let the bath bombs dry for at least 24 hours.

I enjoyed observing the chemical reaction between the different ingredients, (the acid and the alcaline) I also enjoyed mixing the ingredients together, it felt not quite sticky and not quite dry. It was a bit like kinetic sand if you've ever felt it.