Welcome toSpringhead Primary School

Science

States of Matter

Solids, Liquids and Gases

Our science topic this term was States of Matter. If you look at our main class page, you will see that we had a whole day of science to introduce this topic in which we carried out various experiments to identify and observe the different states of matter. The following lesson, we looked more closely at melting and observed different solids turning into liquids. We made chocolate crispy buns and observed an ice hand melting in the sun throughout the afternoon. We drew pictures at regular intervals to show how the materials changed over time. Unfortunately, due to school closures, I have been unable to carry out the other exciting lessons I had planned. However, States of Matter is a great topic to cover at home because you can carry out experiments and observe changes in states using items you probably already have in your house (or items you could pick up cheaply next time you are out doing your essential food shop).

Science need not feel like a normal lesson. It should be fun and engaging. I will try to fill this page with as many exciting ideas as I can but you may already have your own ideas or want to repeat some of the experiments that we have already carried out in class. Just remember to question your child about why things are happening or what might happen if…? Also, your child may ask interesting questions that you don’t necessarily know the answer to. You could always set him/her an extra research project. Remember to email me pictures of any of the things you get up to.

Biscuit Bashing Good for showing that some solids such as sugar and sand act like liquids because they take the shape of a container

Intriguing Ice Observe what happens when different liquids are frozen

What Stuff Does Not an experiment but an interesting 13 minute educational clip all about States of Matter.

Candles.docx

When it’s nice weather, why not make some ice-lollies. Discuss with your child that it goes in as a liquid and comes out (after some time) as a solid. Makes sure you eat them quickly before they melt again!!

Ice Cream in a Bag - 10 Minute Ice Cream

Welcome to the tenth episode of The Sci Guys. In this episode we will be investigating an experiment involving making ice cream in a bag with melting points. The science behind this is a little too advanced for year 4, but there is no harm in explaining the basic principal that adding salt to ice reduces its melting point, therefore making it cold enough to freeze the cream mixture into ice cream. Fun and tasty.

Brian Cox School experiments - Melting

Investigate the melting points of different chocolate. You will need: white, milk and dark chocolate, some foil bun cases (or shape tin foil into little boats), a container, some paper clips, some warm water and some timers.
The best thing about this experiment is eating the left over chocolate at the end!!

Chocolate Coca Cola Bottle Shape - Easter Egg Surprise

I thought this was a really cool science related Easter activity. Admittedly, I have tried this before with little success but you might be more successful than me. This will definitely require adult supervision, especially for the pouring and cutting parts. If you complete this activity successfully, please send me a picture.
There is also a similar activity in which you can make a chocolate milk bottle. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrHMOX2HdBU

States of Matter

The Water Cycle

The Water Cycle is another key learning point in the States of Matter topic. The following document gives adults a lot of detailed information about the water cycle. You may not want/need to read it all but there are a number of interesting experiments within the document that you might like to carry out.

Children will be especially excited by the experiments on pages 7 and 8 where they can recreate the process of evaporation, condensation, precipitation.

The Water Cycle.pdf