By Derek Schlennstedt
Montrose Primary School celebrated Science Week on 15 August with a day of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities.
The day gave students the chance to experience the excitement of engaging in some high-interest activities quite different to those usually undertaken in the classroom.
These activities included boat and parachute making, to even experimenting with dry ice.
As Grade 4 Teacher, Wayne Armstrong explained, the activities were designed to give students an interactive experience.
“We had four rotations of science experiments run by the teachers that varied from parachute making, to boat making and lots of experiments with dry ice.”
“There was a lot of talk about what it means to be a scientist and about the reasons for chemical reactions – cause and effect.”
“The students really loved it and had smiles on their faces all day.”
Mr Armstrong said that although science had taken a back seat in recent years it was great to encourage it and show that it can be fun.
“We do a bit of science but tend to find it does get squeezed out with the curriculum,” he said.
“Science has taken bit of a back seat in recent years but we would like to see it become more integrated.”
“I think it was really positive experience for everyone and a really fun atmosphere at school on Wednesday.
The student went home and talked about it and hopefully we might have a few budding scientists one day … it’s all about showing them that science can be fun.”
