Click here to see some photos from our recent parent and child science experience.
Year 6 Lamb Heart Dissection
Dissecting a lamb’s heart was a fascinating and educational experience for all of year 6, allowing them to learn about the anatomy and function of the heart. In order to dissect a lamb’s heart, they needed a few materials such as gloves, a scalpel or scissors, cling film, and a pencil.
The first step in the dissection process is to examine the outside of the heart. Students observed the size and shape of the heart, as well as the different blood vessels that are attached to it. They identified the four chambers of the heart and the major blood vessels that enter and exit the heart.
Next, they cut open the heart using a scalpel; carefully making an incision along the middle of the heart or around the edge. Once the heart was open, they examined the internal structures. They looked for the valves that controlled the flow of blood through the heart, as well as the different types of muscle tissue that made up the heart. Throughout the dissection, the children asked questions and made observations. The teacher eve used a probe to explore the heart and identify different structures.
In addition to it being an educational experience, dissecting a lamb’s heart was a fun and memorable activity all. By learning about the anatomy and function of the heart, they gained a greater appreciation for this vital organ and the role it plays in our overall health. Can we also send our thanks to Islamabad butchers, in the local area, for providing us with the hearts to dissect? A very supportive and helpful organisation that recognises the importance of providing support for the local area.
Seeds Germinating
The seeds we planted @Colesnurseries have begun to germinate.
Year 3’s Visit to James Cole’s Nursery
To enhance and enrich their science curriculum on plants, the year 3 children visited James Coles’ nursery in Leicester, last Thursday and Friday. The children learnt all about how to take cuttings from a plant, and what to do to encourage the roots to grow, so it can grow into a new plant. The children visited the poly tunnels and learnt about all the different germination process and conditions. The misting machine was great! The children learnt lots of new vocabulary such as deciduous and evergreen and learnt the meanings of each. The staff also talked about the uses of different plants (using evergreen conifers to create fences, using ground covering plants to spread to cover a vast area etc.). Did you know that just by cutting the top of a sapling can turn it into a bush? Or not cutting the top off can turn it into a tree? They also discovered that the soil plugs the cuttings are planted into are made from coconut husk (coir) and felt spongy. Every child also got to plant a seed. Once germinated, they will become part of the school’s outdoor living wall.
A big thank you to Ian Edwards and staff @Colesnurseries for a great learning experience.
Year 6 Vets Trip
This week, Year 6 were visited by veterinary nurses and employees from Vets4Pets. They were also accompanied by two dogs, Mitsie and Boe. The visitors spoke to the children about the day to day life of working in a veterinary practice as well as teaching the children about the heart rates of a variety of animals. The children were able to try out different veterinary equipment and even had the opportunity to listen to the heartbeats of the dogs. The children thoroughly enjoyed meeting the visitors, both humans and animals alike, and were able to ask lots of questions as well as retain lots of key learning.
Year 6 Learn About the Human Heart
Y6 are learning to understand the impact that exercise has on the human heart in science. In groups the children discussed each exercise and ranked them in a diamond 9, with the exercise they think has the greatest impact on the heart at the top and the least at the bottom. Lots of discussion about differing ideas with the children justifying their point of view.
Now Press Play
Y3 children are using our free 2 week trial of Now Press Play as a hook into the start of their new science topic of plants. The children loved it.
STEM Activities
Last week, we welcome Mr Abdullatif from Madani Schools Federation to Uplands to take part in our next STEM activity. The children were tasked with the job of creating a marble run that was required to pass three tough tasks. First, they needed to build the biggest tower for the marble but it must be free-standing and structurally secure. They also needed to make the marble run ascetically pleasing to the judge. Finally, they needed to make sure that their tower took the ball on the longest and slowest journey. The children were given time before to plan as a team and then set 45 minutes to build and test their project. The children were able to overcome many challenges including towers collapsing and working out how best to slow down the natural force of gravity. They showed greater determination, adversity and teamwork and most importantly enjoyed the session. Well done to Mrs Khan’s class (Willow) Where both the first and third-place teams were located. We look forward to our next project with Madani and would like to thank them for allowing Mr Abdullatif to come to school.
Year 3 visit Stonehurst Farm November 2022
As part of their English and Science topics, the Year 3 children visited a local farm last week. They had a fantastic time.
The children asked some brilliant questions to deepen their understanding about the different farm animals. Reece, Tom and Jen (the farmers who guided us around) explained why some female cows have horns, why some of the sheep have coloured spots on them, and the difference between straw and hay. The children even saw Wilbur from their English book ‘Charlotte’s Web’!
They thoroughly enjoyed the tractor ride through the village, playing in the hay bales, taking a nature walk and observing the old transport in the museum.
The children got the opportunity to cuddle a guinea pig too; some of the guinea pigs were so relaxed they left a little gift on the children’s laps!
A few members of the public commented on how well behaved the children were.
Cherry class continued their learning in science today with a challenge. How could they make an intruder alarm? The children worked collaboratively with a partner- it took a long time to work it out but with determination and eliminating reasons why the circuit would not work, they had success. Well done Cherry class.
The national curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils:
- develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics
- develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them
- are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future
Working scientifically
During years 3 and 4, pupils should be taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content:
- asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
- setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
- making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers
- gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to help in answering questions
- recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables
- reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions
- using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions
- identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes
- using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings.
September 2022. Year 4 learning about electricity.
During years 5 and 6, pupils should be taught to use the following practical scientific methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study content:
- planning different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary
- taking measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate
- recording data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs
- using test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests
- reporting and presenting findings from enquiries, including conclusions, causal relationships and explanations of and a degree of trust in results, in oral and written forms such as displays and other presentations
- identifying scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments
