What’s Happening in Science in Term 3 2024

Foundation:

During Term 3, the Foundation students will be exploring the basic needs of humans and animals. They will compare the similarities and differences in the survival needs of humans and animals. They will engage in a range of hands-on experiences to explore why humans and animals need air, food, water, shelter and space to survive. The students will also investigate how the 5 senses of smell, touch, sight, hearing and taste help humans and animals gather information and survive in their environment.

Grade 1/2:

During term three, the theme in the Science room will be Schoolyard Safari. During the course of this study, we will predict and explore the schoolyard for evidence of small animals. It will be a hands-on, shared experience of the features and behaviours of many small animals including earthworms and ants. This will help to provide an understanding of the similarities and differences between animals that are often well hidden. We will also explore various habitats, and the type and number of animals found.

Grade 3/4:

In term three, our theme in the Science room will be Feathers, Fur or Leaves. We will learn how to use a ‘Branching Key’ to classify animals as belonging to an identified group, eg spiders are arachnids. The students will compare similarities and differences in the survival needs or humans and animals. It will be a hands-on, shared experience of how the senses of animals and humans, help them to survive in their environment. We will explore the needs of animals and humans; air, food, water, space and shelter.

Grade 5/6:

During term three, the theme in the Science room will be Desert Survivors. We will observe and describe similarities and differences in the features of different desert dwelling animals. The students will explore how the structural features of animals might appear stable, but slowly evolve over time to adapt to their environment and to each other. We will also explore how these evolutionary changes can take place over long timescales, whereas behavioural adaptations can happen over a shorter period of time.