Periscopes

 After the all of the science learning around the school last term, it’s been fun to get into some technology and lots of robotics.

In the junior syndicate, classes have been coming to the science room and we’ve been making periscopes.  The boys have found it quite challenging but they’ve been determined to do a good job and as a result, they’ve been really pleased with how their periscope has turned out.  They’ve had to measure, stick, cut, score and tape really carefully and accurately.  They seem to have really enjoyed this and it was great to tie it in with the anniversary of the start of World War 1.  We talked about how the soldiers used periscopes in the trenches and more recently, their use in submarines. 

Classes are enjoying their sessions with the robotics.  Some classes are just starting and others are having a second round of sessions.  7/8T have really made the most of the creative side of the robotics so after a series of challenges, they convinced me that a battle would be great.  Typical boy stuff!  So we planned a tournament where pairs of robots would challenge each other.  The students had to programme their robot to move continuously around the ‘battle field’ and they had to programme a touch sensor so that when their robot hit a wall, it would reverse back and then turn around and move off in a different direction.   Needless to say, it was a very noisy and very fun session.  I’m sure they could hear us from down on Williams Park! 

This term has also seen the start of the Science Club.  Just click on the link at the top right of this page to see more.  It would be really great to have more parents involved, either as a helper or someone to lead a session.  Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.  You might just like to come along to have a look before offering to help!