08 Bright Sparks

Today Bright Sparks went to a science class in the school hall. Jason and Mitch from the CSIRO showed us how to use some science equipment and to do some experiments. In the beginning Jason gave us instructions and information about using the equipment and doing the experiments. He also taught us some new scientific words, such as, hypothesis, fair test and variables.  Then we all did an experiment to find out which metal will make the most electricity.  Jonathan’s group wanted to find out how much electricity was in William’s head and so attached the wires to his head. After that we got into small groups and started the experiements. Each group did a different experiment. One group worked with a pendulum and timed the length of a swing using different weights and another group measured the distance covered by geared Lego robots. There was also an experiment which measured the time it took to disolve different sized crystals and another that measured the amount of gas produced by two different salts. We were all enjoying ourselves so much that the time went past so quickly and before we knew it, it was recess, but nobody wanted to go outside. We are all looking forward to our next science session next week.                                                                                                     

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Bright Sparks met with their Kindergarten buddy class for the first time this year. We helped the Kindergarten students make fluffy Valentine’s Day hearts using cardboard and crepe paper. Our teacher gave us the instructions first and then we had to show and tell our Kindergarten partners what to do and help them with the cutting out and pasting. When the Kindergarten students came into our classroom they looked a little scared but once we got started they were happy and we were all having fun. We will be doing lots of activities with our buddy class throughout the year to help them get used to being at school and to help them make lots of friends.

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Yesterday the students in Stage 2 and 3 went to our yearly swimming carnival. All the students are split into 4 sports houses and win points for their house by entering into a race and by coming 1st, 2nd or 3rd. The carnival started with the 100m freestyle races and then the 50m freestyle races. Not many students went in these races because it was a long way to swim. After that were the 10m backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly races. More students went in these races because they didn’t have as far to swim. The star swimmers in our class were Jonathan, Mutu, Mariam and Ayse, who all swam in their 50m age race and won lots of points for their house. After all the races were over everyone had a free swim. Everyone had a great time and not many students had to rescued by the teachers who were being lifeguards for the day.

Last weekend the Chinese and Vietnamese people celebrated their New Year. Large parades were held in many suburbs all over Sydney, including a very big celebration in Chinatown in the city.

This year is the Year of the Rat, which is based upon the Chinese horoscope calendar. To celebrate the new year, dragons made out of silk are carried through the streets to scare away the evil spirits and red money envelopes are given to the children by their family and friends to wish them good luck. Large banquets of food are prepared, including moon cake, especially made for the celebration.

To celebrate the New Year, we made dragons from cardboard and streamers and hung them in our classroom. Hopefully they will keep the bad spirits away and bring us good luck for the rest of the year.      

Bright Sparks would like to let their fellow bloggers know they’re back from a long and restful holiday and can’t wait to get back into their school work. There will be many changes made to the Bright Sparks Blog in 2008 and lots of new and exciting challenges and discoveries will be made. So stay tuned.   To the 2007 Bright Sparks, we’d like to wish you all the best in your new class and don’t forget to take a peek every now and then to see what’s happening, and leave a comment or two.