Year 4 Science & Technology Heat and Energy Incursion

Spinning propellors, tea bag rockets and chemical reactions! There was a hive of activity during the Year 4 Science and Technology incursions on Thursday last week as the girls explored the science behind light and heat energy. 

Hands-on experiences included building various electrical circuits with light bulbs and spinning propellors and using thermometers to measure temperature. The students compared the movement of particles in hot and cold water using dye. A true favourite was mixing baking soda and vinegar together to create a mixture in a zip lock bag which caused an endothermic reaction. The girls were fascinated as the mixture produced a gas and temperature change as it foamed up and became cold. In some instances, when there was too much gas produced, it caused the bag to pop!

The girls proved to be curious audience members as they observed demonstrations of how light energy is absorbed by solar panels and converted into electrical energy. They learned how darker substances absorb more heat radiation and how lighter substances reflect it. A memorable moment was when the demonstrator created a convection current using a burning tea bag which the girls likened to a hot air balloon. As the current of air moved inwards and the burning tea bag became lighter, it rose straight up into the air!

The workshop ended with a bang…literally! This time, the girls watched an exothermic reaction which simply means a combustion reaction that releases a lot of heat energy. Glycerol was mixed in with Condys Crystals to create a distinct sound of ignition which caused a bright purple flame to suddenly erupt. Most importantly, the girls learned about the importance of safety when working with chemicals and the measures that scientist must take to keep themselves safe as well as those around them.

Gabriela Grocott
Manager of Primary Administration and Operations