Rocket Challenge

Our year 5&6 Quest groups have been taking part in Engineering New Zealand’s Rocket Challenge

this term. They have learnt about Newton’s Laws and the engineering process while developing their

own rockets. The groups have been lucky enough to have engineers volunteer their time to work with

them and guide their learning. Thanks to Dr Fei Ying - senior lecturer at AUT school of engineering,

and James Tayler - helicopter pilot and trainer, for the time given to inspire learning for our students.

Last week we were lucky enough to have a visit from an engineer from Rocket Lab. Kieran Fanning talked to the students about his pathway to working at rocket lab, and how they design and make rockets that go to space. These rockets are launched from Mahia Peninsula near Gisborne. The students were amazed to hear that the engines for the rockets are 3D printed. They heard how new smaller technology contributes to smaller satellite designs, which means smaller rockets can be used to launch them. It was very exciting to hear from someone who works with rockets for a job, and get to see the model of the electron rocket too. This has inspired our students to try to design more efficient rockets, using the engineering process to improve their designs. Thanks Kieran and Rocket Lab for making this visit happen and for supporting our students’ learning. The next Rocket Lab launch is happening within the next two weeks. There will be a live video stream of the launch when it happens. Check out their website.

Parent Evening - 'Gifted 101'

What is giftedness? At a recent parent evening I talked about the different domains (areas) of giftedness and how we identify and cater for our gifted students at Whangaparaoa School. We also looked at positive and negative behaviours sometimes present in gifted children (eg they may have advanced vocab, but this may also mean they can use words to manipulate - can be good debaters and future politicians I guess!)
Here is a link to the slides from the evening if you are interested. 'Gifted 101'

Prototypes and test flights

The year 5&6 rocket challenge is developing well. We have looked at Newton's laws, aerodynamics, design ideas etc and teams have created their prototypes. The Tuesday group carried out their test flights this week. Our engineer ambassador, Dr Fei Ying (AUT senior lecturer - civil engineering), helped us think about experimenting with thrust by differing the PSI and the water volume in our rockets. We had lots of people stop to watch - it was a lot of fun!

The Wednesday group have their prototypes ready to test next week if the weather is right. They had great fun a couple of weeks ago with their engineer ambassador, James Tayler (Helicopter trainer and rescue helicopter pilot), testing aerodynamics with paper planes, and also looking at Newton's third law (F = m a). We tested how much force was needed to accelerate different masses, using a giant slingshot that James had made.

Challenges of life in the desert

Brando Yelavich, aka 'Wildboy', is currently attempting to cycle across the width of Australia, through the outback. The kids learnt a little about him last term when we were looking at exploration. A few years ago Brando walked around the entire coastline of NZ, and popped in to Whangaparaoa Primary to give a talk along the way. His story of determination, perseverance and problem solving is inspiring.
So now we are following along as he cycles through the desert. We looked at what would be essential to pack, to help someone  survive in a desert. Lots of thinking and debating about what is important. Lots of questions too - how can you carry enough water? How much water do you need each day? How can you charge a phone or camera? How do you carry enough food?
Here is a link to Brando's blog if you would like to follow along. He also has a facebook page, and some of the kids have had me communicate with him (they wanted to know how he takes photos of himself cycling if he's by himself). Brando very kindly answered us - the kids were excited!

We looked at where deserts of the world are, using google maps and atlas'. We looked at why there are deserts, and conditions in a desert. Some studied animals in the desert (survival techniques they use - check out the 'thorny devil' from Australia which gathers dew drops on its back as it walks past desert grasses). Some designed houses for the desert - how would you get water, power, shade etc?