Leaffoney NS

We Took Part in The Discover Primary Science Project in 2006 and 2007.
We won an award of Excellence for our Science Activities on both occasions.
Have a look at some of our Science Activities

Rainbow Spinner

The coloured card appears white. This demonstrates that white light can be broken up into the rainbow colours.
This experiment also shows that the rainbow colours can be brought together to produce white light.

It also demonstrates the persistence of vision (i.e. that if things move fast enough the eye cannot distinguish between them and they merge).

Gravity - Acrobatic clown

In this experiment we showed that all objects have a balancing point, called the centre of gravity.
The lower the centre of gravity the more stable you are.

Firstly we balanced the clown on its nose-difficult.
We then lowered its centre of gravity by attaching coins to it which made it balance.
The clowns are balancing on their noses on the piece of string.

Finger Prints

In this Experiment we looked at our finger prints.

We looked for loops, splits, ridges and cusps.

We compared our finger prints and found that no two are the same.

Dancing Raisins

The raisins are heavier than the drink so they sink to the bottom. At the bottom of the fizzy drink they collect bubbles of carbon dioxide and now the raisins and bubbles are lighter than the drink so they rise to the surface.

When they reach the surface the gas bubbles burst and the raisins sink; then they collect more gas bubbles etc.
This continued as long as the drink was quite fizzy.

We made a torch

A torch has a switch and when you press down on the switch you complete the circuit.
Electricity flows from the batteries to the bulb, which lights up.

The tin foil behind the bulb reflects the light back out of the torch so a wider beam of light shines out of the torch.

Insulation - Sheep's Wool

We tested the temperature of two jars of warm water.
Sheep's wool insulation was then wrapped around one jar. This prevented the transfer of heat.

Our homes should be insulated to keep heat from escaping otherwise we waste a lot of energy.
The experiment shows that the glass which was insulated with the eco friendly sheep's wool remained warmer.

Water Wheel

The same principle as the water wheel applies in hydroelectric generating stations.

The water turns a big turbine, which spins a huge coil of copper wire between a number of magnets and this action produces electricity.
Water mills are also powered by running water.

Pizza Box Solar Oven

In this experiment we made a solar oven with cling film, pizza box, and black paper. Heat was absorbed and reflected onto the chocolate on the plate. The chocolate melted.

In developing countries, such as in Africa, lots of homes do not have electricity to work the type of cookers that we use in developed countries, so people use solar energy or burn wood for heat and to cook food.

Growing Tomatoes

We grew tomatoes plants from seeds. In order for them to grow they need oxygen, water and heat.

Creepy Reflections

We put the mirror in the bowl of water at an angle of about 45 degrees. When we put our finger in the water the tip of the finger appeared out of nowhere.

Next to it there was a reflection of the fingertip. The strange thing is there is no hand attached to the finger.

Air Pressure

The space around us is not empty but is filled with air, which is pushing on everything around us. This is called air pressure.

When you hit the wood the air pressing down on the newspaper makes it difficult to lift the paper.

Creeping Colours Chromatography

Inks and dyes are made from different chemicals.
To make all the different colours, lots of different coloured chemicals are mixed together.

As the water rises up the filter paper, it dissolves the chemicals and carries them with it.

Gravity

To stay balanced our body has a balance point (called the centre of gravity) and it has to be over our feet.

We tried standing up while sitting straight up on the chairs but were unable to.
In order to stand up we need to tilt our heads out over our feet.

Make a Lighthouse

In this experiment we made a lighthouse.

The bulb will only light when there is a complete circuit.

We also attached a switch in the circuit. This allows us to operate the lighthouse.

How does a Lever Work?

The pencil (centre point is the fulcrum)
The weights need to be the same distance from the fulcrum in order for the ruler to balance.

To calculate mathematically multiply the weight on one side by the distance from the weight to the fulcrum. In order for the ruler to be balanced the total on the other side must be the same.

Mirror writing

In this experiment we practiced writing by looking in a mirror.

We found this difficult to do.

Spiral Snake

In this experiment we showed that warm air is lighter than cold air.
The warm air rises and cold air takes its place.
The air above the radiator is warm so it rises making the snake spin.

Testing for the presence of Starch.

Starch is a carbohydrate. It is found in plants. Green plants make carbohydrates through photosynthesis.
Starch is in many foods and also in other things e.g. paper.

By testing various items with droplets of diluted iodine we discovered the items that contained starch turned a blue black colour.

How much air can your lung hold

The empty bottle has air in it. When the bottle is filled with water, the air is expelled from the bottle.

By immersing the bottle in the basin of water and removing the lid under the water the water will not spill out.

Hydraulics

In this experiment we are testing hydraulic pressure.
Hydraulics are very important for lifting or moving heavy loads. Machines on building sites use hydraulics.

Hydraulic pressure is when you squash a liquid in a cylinder or tube. The liquid is a springing material so if the force squashing it is released it springs back. The springy force is what moves the ram of a machine.

Recycling

News paper can be recycled to burn as fire logs.
Wet the newspaper and form it into a cuboid.
Allow to dry out and enjoy an eco friendly fire.

Exercise and your heart

Heart rate increases with exercise so that more of the oxygen carried in the blood can reach the muscles.
We checked our pulses before and after exercise and the results are shown on the chart opposite.

Our heart rates increased.
The fitter you are the quicker your heart rate returns to normal.

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