PROGRESS...continued

 More topics investigated this term looking at the concept of progress...

TOILETS - how have they changed over the years and what difference has it made to people's lives. We also looked at problem solving designs such as toilets on the International Space Station. We thought about what possibilities there might be for toilet design in the future - how could we improve the design and function?

BIOMIMICRY - copying ideas from nature. We looked closely at biddy-bids and found out how the idea for velcro came from a scientist studying the burrs that stuck to his dog's fur. We looked at other interesting ideas from nature that have been used to design useful items for people. 









LEARNING FROM MISTAKES - we looked at things that have been invented by mistake such as post-it notes. We also thought about how some mistakes can help us learn and progress. "If you're making mistakes it means you are trying."

Guest speakers

 This term we have been lucky to have some parents and community members generously give their time to come and speak to interested students about their work / interests.

So far we have heard from Christian Stimson - Stimson Marine Design - about how he helps design boats and the problems that had to be solved to design a big, fast, electric passenger ferry 'Ika rere' in Wellington. 

Next we heard from Pete Flann about his work in the NZ defence force. Children were excited to be able to ask him questions and to hear about the range of opportunities for jobs in the defence force.

 Gareth from Cutting Edge Fossils brought in his collection and talked to interested students about the various prehistoric creatures that they are from. It's mindblowing to think of how old they all are. 

We were also lucky to have a visit from NZ Customs officer Chrissy Thomas, along with Luke and customs detector dog Yetta. It was interesting hearing about the work they do to protect NZ and stop the import or export of prohibited goods. We got to see some examples of things that had been confiscated, and also got to see Yetta in action - what a clever dog! 

Thanks to all of our visitors for sharing your knowledge and allowing children to ask questions and find out more from experts.

Term 1 concept - PROGRESS

 This term we are looking at the concept of progress through various topics. 

We are looking at what makes progress possible - advances in ideas, technology, materials, and sometimes even by mistake (such as the discovery of penicillin)! 

We are thinking about whether all progress is good, and whether all people view progress the same way.

So far this term we have looked at these topics:

TRANSPORT - learning from mistakes

We looked at the sad story of the Titanic and how this tragedy meant progress was made in safety on boats in the future. 

MEDICINE - we looked at the discovery of penicillin and how medicines have been developed to help people. We also looked at how understanding of what keeps us healthy has made a difference over the years - the simple understanding of handwashing to kill germs, and of supporting good bacteria with eating healthy food etc. 

BUILDINGS - we looked at the leaning tower of Pisa and why it leaned. We looked at more modern buildings and thought about how ideas and technology have advanced to allow taller and more complex buildings now.