Spotlight Kakariki 2025 Term 2

This term our Science Topic in the Junior School is Forces.  To introduce the tamariki to push and pull forces found in everyday phenomena, Kākāriki Class have enjoyed looking more closely at examples of the 6 simple machines: levers, wedges, screws, pulleys, wheels and axles and inclined planes, thanks to the Simple Machines Kit from the House of Science which we subscribe to and receive relevant kits to support or science learning at school. In our first experience, we read a book called, 'How Do You Lift a Lion" by Robert Wells, and this got us thinking about the wonderful things we can do with simple machines, like moving heavy objects.  We then explored each simple machine and had lots of fun thinking like scientists: making observations, suggesting hypotheses and collecting data to understand how simple machines help make work easier.  The Kākāriki Class handled weights, used force meters and measured forces and distances as they explored the different activities.  The children even got to use real hammers, which was a complete hit!  It was pleasing to see the children work together to read and follow diagrams when assembling pulley stands and different types of pulleys or following step-by-step instructions to measure how the diameter of a wheel influences the distance it can travel.
Many children rate Science as one of their favourite subjects at school and we are grateful to the House of Science for supporting teachers to bring this important subject to life for our tamariki. I hope the enjoyment of your budding scientists is apparent in the photos included in our Spotlight.