Stage 2 have just commenced our fifth Unit of Inquiry under the Transdisciplinary Theme: How the World Works. Our Central Idea for the unit is: The transfer of heats helps us in our everyday lives. This will be taught through the concepts of Function, Change and Connection and will guide our Lines of Inquiry:             

• Transfer of heat energy
• States of matter
• How the transfer of heat is used in our everyday lives

Recently Years 3 and 4 participated in an incursion that served as a provocation for our new Unit of Inquiry. Two scientists from Fizzics Education met us in the hall to give us an experience we won’t forget anytime soon.

In our first workshop we learnt about the change of state between solids, liquids and gases. We discovered what happens to air pressure when the temperature is increased or decreased. The morning was very hands-on as we experimented with memory wire, hand boilers, smoking balls, thermochromic paper and much more.

The fun didn’t stop after recess as we then watched a liquid nitrogen show. We discovered what happens when -198 degree liquid nitrogen boils as it comes in contact with air temperature. We observed the effects it has on balloons, tennis balls and plants. The day finished with some very cold liquid nitrogen made ice cream.

It was a very exciting and engaging provocation and we are looking forward to working like scientists for the remainder of our Unit of Inquiry.

Carol Peterson and Shayne Pollard – Stage 2 Teachers