Science Week 7-11 May 2012

We kicked off science week with a discussion about what science is. We decided that it is "thinking about things" (Ella O) to help us to "learn better" (Lucy D). Tom has an experiments book at home with some really scientific ideas in it! When we are learning about science we ask lots of questions, and we listen to find out our answers. Sometimes, instead of listening (or reading) we can test our ideas for ourselves by conducting an experiment or investigation.

Today's experiment was about magnetism. We attached a paper clip to a string (to a pencil) and held it NEAR (not actually touching) a magnet. Ashleigh and Rosa thought that the clip would stick to the metal. Lucy D thought it would still stick to the metal even if we dropped the pencil (Aliyah thought that the pencil might hang in the air), though Aislinn wasn't so sure. What do you think happened?

We were fascinated by the pull of magnetism, it was actually strong enough to make the paper clip float in the air on its own, when gravity (the force created by the pull of the moon on the earth) would otherwise have made the paper clip fall down. However, when we moved the clip too far from the magnet, the magnetic force was not strong enough to prevent gravity from making the clip fall! We all had a turn, and enjoyed feeling the magnet "pull" on the paper clip.