7Hello and welcome to our showcase for the
Science Foundation Ireland,
Discover Science & Maths Award 2017!
Following last year's success in obtaining a Plaque of STEM Excellence in the SFI Discover Science & Maths Awards, we here at St. Vincent's GNS have set ourselves the goal of securing another one this year.
All classes from junior infants right up to sixth class participated and carried out a variety of science experiments. Each and every individual thoroughly enjoyed the hands on experiences and further developing their scientific skills.
There are 5 steps involved in working towards successfully obtaining an award for your school. Below is a showcase and a summary of just some of the fantastic work done by the students and staff of St. Vincent's GNS. We hope you enjoy!
There are 5 steps involved in working towards successfully obtaining an award for your school. Below is a showcase and a summary of just some of the fantastic work done by the students and staff of St. Vincent's GNS. We hope you enjoy!
Step 1: Science |
We had so much fun engaging in a number of hands-on science investigations in school. We also had a number of number of science workshops with a guest speaker.
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Magnet Magic
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Third Class, Room 17 had a fantastic time exploring with magnets. They began by gathering a variety of different materials including wool, wood, glass and plastic. They then estimated whether or not a magnet would still work through the material. They had great fun then testing whether or not they were right and comparing their results.
Sample of work below: Sofia, Room 17 |
Exploring Waterproof Materials
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Junior Infants, Room 4 had a great time getting their hands wet exploring waterproof materials. They enjoyed discovering what materials were and were not waterproof. They learned so much vocabulary surrounding the topic and now know what to put over them if it's raining outside!
Sample of work below: Indie, Room 4 |
Pass the Parcel
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The girls from Senior Infants, Room 5 played an extremely unique version of the game pass the parcel. Each layer of the prize was wrapped in a different type of material including plastic, wool and even egg cartons. At each stage the girls stopped and felt the material discussing its texture. The girl with the very last layer was lucky to get herself a prize!
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Growing Seeds
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The girls from Senior Infants, Room 5 became young gardeners as they got down to work planting seeds and watching them grow. The girls got their own individual pots and planted the seeds ensuring to water them and give them plenty of sunlight. They compared these then to some test pots which were deprived of both water and sunlight.When the cress finished growing they got to sample it on some crackers! YUMMY!
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The Best Insulator
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The girls of First Class, Room 10 investigated a variety of materials and which one would be the best insulator to keep lollipops frozen. The girls predicted what they thought would be the best insulator and some were very surprised by the results. As an added bonus, they got to have an ice pop each after the experiment! Tasty work!
Sample of work below: Finlay, Room 10 |
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Making Lava Lamps
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The girls from Fifth Class, Room 19 enhanced their environmental awareness and science skills through an experiment on making lava lamps. They discusses the global issue of oil pollution and thereafter investigated how this can negatively affect the world. They then carried out an experiment in which they mixed water oil and food colouring together and added a half a fizzy tablet to create a chemical reaction. This reaction in the bottle causes it to look like a lava lamp. Groovy work! Well done Girls!
Sample of work below: Niamh, Room 19 |
Chemical Reactions!
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The girls from Sixth Class, Room 21 got very experimental as they used vinegar and baking soda to create a chemical reaction which would blow up a balloon! The results were fantastic and the girls were in awe of the reaction.
Sample of work below: Cassie, Room 21 |
Maria: Our Guest Speaker
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Maria is a scientist from Trinity College Dublin. She has been coming to our school every Monday since November to inform us about a variety of scientific topics. In addition to this, Maria carried out a number of enjoyable, hands on experiments with the girls from sixth class. Some of these experiments include dissecting eyeballs and lambs hearts to making bacteria. Everyone agrees that we have learned, and continue to learn so much from her. We really appreciate her coming to our school and with thanks to her, our science skills have most definitely been enhanced.
Read an account of the guest speaker experience below from Chloe in Sixth Class, Room 21. |
Step 2: Technology |
We applied our technology skills and used ICT as part of our research and experimental work.
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The Girls from Third Class in Room 18, put their ICT skills to use as part of their research into bridges and bridges in the local area. As part of their research they looked into the structure of a bridge and how bridges are built before they began their own experiment in making bridges.
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The Girls from Sixth Class, Room 21 learned some new skills as they worked on editing this very web page. The girls learned about the web design tool we use in our school named weebly. The teacher talked them through how the school website was created and is maintained. They then put their own ICT skills to use as they uploaded pictures and added text to the page. Well done girls!
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Step 3: Engineering |
We really enjoyed investigating engineering in class.
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Build a Bridge!
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The girls from Fourth Class, Room 17 put their engineering skills to use as they created their very own bridges. Using just books and paper the girls had to construct their own bridges and come up with a bridge strong enough to support a handful of coins. They tested out different ways of supporting the bridge and the results were fantastic. Well done girls! Sample of work below: Bianca, Room 17 |
Investigating Engineering!
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The girls from Fourth Class, Room 17 investigated engineering in the local area with a particular focus on bridges. Have a look below at the PowerPoint they observed and discussed with their teacher.
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bridges_powerpoint.ppt |
Step 4: Maths |
We put our maths skills to use as part of our experiments.
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Maths is Everywhere!
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The girls from Third Class, Room 17 along with their teacher Ms. Lawlor and support teacher Mrs. Koelstra successfully completed a maths trail around the school. Take a look below at some of the things they had to look out for. The girls couldn't believe how surrounded by maths we are, as long as we just look for it! Well done girls.
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Representing!
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The girls from Third Class, Room 17 managed to integrate three different maths skills into their science work. During their experiment with magnets and materials they had to estimate which materials would be magnetic or not, they then compared the actual results with the predictions. Thereafter, they created fantastic bar charts to represent the data. Well done girls on the super work!
Sample of work below from Sofia, Room 17 |
Step 5: STEM Showcase |
We enjoyed piecing together our website showcase and we invited all members of the school community to visit the page. Our students from sixth class also presented their experiment on dissecting Pig's Eyes to the students in the school as well.
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