Category Archives: Science

All about teeth

Class Work, Science

In Science we have been learning all about teeth.

We learnt about the different types of teeth in a human’s mouth and what they are used for.   Can you remember what are your incisors, canines and molars?

Next we discussed what would happen if we didn’t brush our teeth. We also setup a science experiment to test how different liquids can stain / damage our teeth. We have used: Cola, juice, salt water, tap water and vinegar. 

Of course.. we couldn’t really use our own teeth as we want to protect them so we’ve used an egg as a substitute. Did you know that the shell of an egg is made of a similar substance to tooth enamel!?

We will observe our teeth (eggs) every day and see what happens!

By the way,

Did you know?

  • The average person spends 38.5 total days brushing their teeth over a lifetime.
  • People who drink 3 or more glasses of fizzy pop each day have 62% more tooth decay, fillings and tooth loss than others. Put down the pop and sports drinks and pick up some nice fresh water instead.
  • If you’re right handed, you will chew your food on your right side. If you’re left handed, you will tend to chew your food on your left side.
  • The most valuable tooth belonged to Sir Isaac Newton. In 1816 one of his teeth was sold in London for $3,633, or in today’s terms $35,700. The tooth was set in a ring! (source: Guinness World Records 2002).

    Click here to read more about teeth!

Salivary Glands

Science

To start the topic of Animals including humans we thought we’d look at….

Your salivary glands are found on the inside of your cheeks, the bottom of your mouth and at the front of your mouth, under your jaw. Can you believe that they can produce between one to two litres of saliva a day? That’s crazy isn’t it?!

There are many advantages to having saliva. Here are a few: saliva aids with digestion, it helps you to taste food, it cleans your mouth and helps to keep your teeth clean.

Just like saliva helps you to taste food, your taste buds are responsible for making your favourite foods taste so good. They are found on your tongue and help you to distinguish between salty, sweet, sour and bitter tastes.

Today, Robins carried out a taste test. They explored whether it was easier to taste things with your eyes closed, eyes closed and nose pinched or eyes open and nose open.

First they explored the bags of sweets to check they were safe for eating! (Vegetarian friendly!)

Next they carried out the experiment.

It was hard work taste testing all those sweets!

Finally, they recorded their results.

Extension: Click here to find out more about your taste buds! 

DT: Electronics Project : Update

Class Work, D&T, Science

 

Recently Robins have continued to work on their DT Project.

On Monday all groups successfully created the motor circuit with a switch.

Today we talked about the importance of instruction writing,  discussed the instructions and began making the pulley system.

Of course, before we began working;  we talked about the safety of using tools.

Robins were very good and were able to identify that the hazards from using a saw an a heat glue gun.

Robins had great fun identifying the motor, drive belt (rubber band) , plastic pulley, shaft and bearings (wooden wheel).

Let’s have a look at their progress.

(Don’t forget to leave a comment of encouragement! )

DT Project: Electronics and Funfairs!

Class Work, D&T, Science

Over the past few days Robins have learnt all about electronic circuits. In one of the lessons we looked at Motors, Buzzers, light bulbs in a series circuit with a switch.

Soon, we are going to use this new knowledge in our upcoming DT project, “Making a Funfair Ride”

Today, Robins discussed all about fun fairs.  We had some mixed responses.

Tanatswa & Ava – They are lots of fun 
Paige & Dylan  – They are eye catching.
Amaya – I went to the funfair yesterday. It was lots of fun.
Seth – I don’t like them. They make me uncomfortable.

We looked at photo’s of different rides and discussed the following:

  • The types of ride you see
  • How the rides move
  • What the rides look like
  • What makes them interesting
  • How you think the rides might work
  • Who the rides might be designed for
  • What materials the rides are made from.

Finally Robins put their thoughts onto paper.

Stay tuned for more work in progress!

Conductors and Insulators

Class Work, Science

Robins have been working together to test different materials to establish whether they are conductors or insulators.

First they had to collect the required equipment and setup the circuit.

Didn’t they  have fun?!

 

They then had to record their findings.

 

Extension: Watch the BBC Teach video on Insulators and Conductors

Exciting Electricity

Class Work, Science

Recently Robins are having fun learning all about electricity and electrical circuits.

Robins have discussed :-
– how electricity can occur naturally( e.g lightning ) and other sources of electricity (e.g fossil fuels, nuclear, solar and geothermal)
– appliances that run on electricity

Robins showed a lot of curiosity and critical thinking when discussing electrical circuits. Can you remember the names of each piece of equipment?

Robins also worked well together; discovering how to connect a complete circuit to light a light-bulb.

 

Did you know you can find lots of extra information on the internet too?!
Why not read up more about electrical circuits by clicking on the extra resources below.

BBC – Electrical Circuits

The School Run – What is Electricity?

DK Find Out – Circuits

Do you know anything else about Electricity and Electrical circuits? Don’t forget to reply to this blog and share your information!

 

Time for Tooth Decay?

Science

It’s been a week since Robins initiated their Tooth Decay experiment.

Today, Robins observed the changes to the shell and recorded their observations.

With the cola, it was evident that the  toothpaste covered egg stained less than the non toothpaste covered egg.

Many Robins were surprised how the blackcurrant squash had completely stained the egg shell.

Moreover, The vinegar one was really interesting as the vinegar completely dissolved the eggshell, leaving just the membrane behind.Vinegar ( which is acidic) dissolves the calcium carbonate in the shell, leaving just the membrane intact

One final thought… Have you remembered to brush your teeth twice a day?!

Extension Activity: Discuss these questions at home
1. The enamel of your tooth is similar to the egg’s shell. What happened to the egg shells that were soaked liquids that are sugary? Why?
2. What happened to the egg shells that were soaked liquids that are acidic? Why?
3. If you used toothpaste what was the effect? Why?
4. Based on what happened to the eggshells in your experiment, which drinks do you think are BEST for your teeth? Why?

Tooth Decay Investigation!

Science

Recently Robins have been researching all about teeth and their functions.

After learning about that.. what better than to carry out our own experiment on how liquids affect our teeth!

Of course.. we couldn’t really use our own teeth as we want to protect them so we’ve used an egg as a substitute. Did you know that the shell of an egg is made of a similar substance to tooth enamel!?

Before we carried out the experiment Robins planned the investigation and discussed the differences between simply doing a practical enquiry experiment  and one which considers the variables involved to ensure it’s a fair test.

Discussions about a fair test and conducting a test as a group respectfully included:

 

It was great fun setting up the experiment and over the next few days we will observe what happens to the egg shell (teeth enamel) and… I wonder what the egg inside will be like?!

We are testing the following

  1. Water (Control liquid)
  2. Orange Juice
  3. Apple Juice
  4. Coffee
  5. Blackcurrant squash
  6. Vinegar
  7. Cola
  8. Cola with an egg covered in toothpaste (Thanks for covering the egg in toothpaste Tanatswa!)