Solar Energy Projects & Pool Party

WoW, what a day we had. Today we joined Misha for his end-term technology session.

The kids presented their solar energy projects. I was quite surprised at Misha’s eagerness to go first and his confidence in sharing what he had learnt…

Misha presenting his solar oven project.

He’s really come a long way from thinking he was stupid to knowing he can do all things he sets his mind on. For the rest of the afternoon the kids just spent the the time playing, snacking, swimming & having loads of fun whilst mommies took time to chat & chillax.

Solar Energy & Pool Party VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We used a free online eScience lesson from Aurora Lipper’s site for this project.

Life Orientation (Life Skills)

Volcanoes Day 2 by Education Support

		Education Support VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Today the boys did the second day of their Volcanoes Course with Barry. Last time they did a lot of theory & ended the session building some sample volcanoes from clay. Today they got to see these volcanoes erupt. Now that was some awesome FUN!!! I think if I had to learn this way in school, I might have enjoyed & remembered much more…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out some more cool science at Aurora Lipper’s page.

First, it's hands-on, so they're not just reading some dry book.  I mean, my kids just can't learn from pictures the way they can from doing it themselves.  Plus, it's video-based (and taught by this super-energetic and engaging woman named Aurora), so they get to see everything step-by-step as they go through experiments.

It's self-guiding too, so they can work on it independently (this is a real bonus for me).

I'm just blown away by how much is included.

If you're looking for a new curriculum (or even if you're not), you have to check this out.  I mean it is so much better than anything else out there (even top well-known ones).

Go here to check it out:

www.sciencelearningspace.com/members/go.php?r=5799&i=l26

Oh, it's not too expensive either - something else I liked about it.

Sound & Light Experiments at Tan’ Malie se Winkel

Sound & Light Experiments at Tan’ Malie se Winkel VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

This was an amazing experience & the kids were fascinated.

The idea was not so much teaching the kids all about science but rather creating an interest and awareness that one needn’t have a science lab to do interesting science experiments. Many experiments can be done with simple household items. One simple example was sounds created by holding various different pipes over a flame. I also purchased a CD containing various science experiments etc. for the boys to try out.

WELCOME TO OUR SCIENCE PRESENTATIONS

AT THE NEW “HARTIES METSI A ME”

INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND KNOWLEDGE CENTRE

Everyone is welcome to attend our Science presentations at Tan’ Malie’s, a well known landmark just beyond the Hartbeespoort Dam wall. (GPS coordinates are S 25º 43,569’ E 27º 50,565’) Here is what we may be able to offer on the day, depending on what your requirements are:

• Science demonstrations for all learners in Grades 0 to 12
• Teacher Training sessions
• Videos and Powerpoint presentations on a wide variety of environmental topics
• Presentations by specialists on water pollution, the geology of the Hartbeespoort mountains and rock formations
• Talks on how birds, fish and invertebrates all reveal the condition of the water in the dam
• Exciting presentations on global warming, waste minimization, desertification, solar heating and the importance of wetlands
• Projection of images of live invertebrates through a powerful microscope
• Visits to an adjacent compost and earthworm farm
• Visits to our water purification plant

Visits to an artificial wetlands factory or to the banks of the Crocodile river where we can collect and identify invertebrates with a view to evaluating the water quality.

Bookings

You can call me on 082 559 8329 or e-mail me on skills@icon.co.za. .

Sincerely

EDDIE JANSEN

Science presenter, Education consultant

Vaal Dam & Water Purification Plant Field Trip

This week we didn’t get much schoolwork done again, since Misha’s away on holiday at Magalies Park with Joshua. Jesse’s been helping me deep clean the carpets after we’ve had the asbestos ceilings in our bathroom & passage replaced. Boy oh boy what a mess that left. We’ve been doing one room a day in between schoolwork & field trips. Thus far we’ve managed to finish 6 of 8 rooms. Moving dusting & cleaning has proved to be quite a tiresome job, but it has helped alleviate some of my allergies.

Vaal Dam VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Lynda arranged a group outing to the Vaal Dam. Somehow what should have been an hour & half trip turned out to take 2 & half hours instead. The Dam tour entailed quite a bit of walking, but we all learned a great deal about where we get our water from & how it gets transported across the country.

Water Purification Plant, Vereeniging VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

From the Vaal Dam we went on to the Water Purification Plant in Vereeniging. The kids had an informative session whereafter they got to do an experiment with purification of water.  After the experiment session we got to see the water plant up close & learnt how water gets purified before it's sent to the various towns & cities.