This year, Leigh Academy Milestone dove head-first into British Science Week, celebrating the arrival of spring through a series of hands-on, sensory-rich experiments. Our students became young scientists, and enjoyed “Science-in-Action”, exploring the world around them through touch, sight, and sound.
The Great Spring Thaw
Primary students welcomed the new season by exploring the science of temperature and change. Using warm water and hairdryers operated by switches, students observed the melting process first-hand. It was magical to watch the ice disappear to “release” hidden spring flowers! This activity helped us understand how heat changes solids into liquids.
Melting ice video!
The Great Peg Test: Forces at Work
The Phase 2 playground transformed into a physics lab with a heavy and light washing line challenge. Students experimented with gravity and friction by testing whether wooden or plastic pegs were better at holding up different weights of clothing. It was a fantastic way to practice fine motor skills while investigating the strength of different materials.
Habitats and Animal Wonders
Phase 2 and 3 students took a closer look at the natural world by exploring the diverse textures of animal habitats. From the rough to the smooth, students used their tactile senses to understand where animals live. We also sharpened our observation skills by identifying the unique similarities and differences between different species using vibrant imagery.
High-Pressure Reactions: Mentos & Coke
One group of students took science to the skies with the classic Mentos and Coke experiment! By dropping the mints into the bottles, they triggered a rapid release of carbon dioxide gas, creating spectacular soda geysers. This was a brilliant, high-energy way to observe a physical reaction and the power of trapped air.
Mentos Video!
Ooblek: The Magic Material
Phase 4 students got messy with Ooblek! Students explored this strange “non-Newtonian” substance, feeling it transform from a hard solid to a gooey liquid right in their hands. It was a brilliant sensory lesson in how some materials don’t always follow the standard rules of science.
Here are some additional photos across all activities:
