Scientist for a day - Stage 3

Illustration of adult and child gardening.

Chatting with a scientist

Illustration of one person holding a suitcase in front of a map. Another person is reading a brochure.

Testing a wind turbine

About this program

What do 'Scientists' do? Students have an opportunity to meet and hear from a scientist who will explain their area of scientific research. Students will get opportunities to create and conduct scientific investigations around energy and communicate their results with their peers.

Activities

Meet a Scientist: A visiting scientist will talk with students about their work as a scientist and how they got into their chosen field. Students will take part in an activity within the topic that the scientist is studying.

Lightbulb investigation: Using scientific equipment and a fair test, students will look into how much energy (and money) can be saved by changing the type of lightbulb that is used.

Making energy by building a wind turbine: In small groups, students will design and build a wind turbine and test it to see how much energy it can produce. If we change one thing, how does this effect the results?

Important information

Syllabus outcomes and content

Outcomes:

* uses evidence to explain how scientific knowledge can be used to develop sustainable practices ST3-SCI-01

* poses questions to identify variables and conducts fair tests to gather data ST3-PQU-01

* interprets data to support explanations and arguments ST3-DAT-01

Content:

A fixed amount of usable matter makes up all the material on Earth

* Explain how recyclable, reusable, renewable, biodegradable and compostable materials enhance sustainability

* Recognise that in a fair test, an independent variable is changed, a dependent variable is measured, and controlled variables remain the same

Electrical energy can be transferred and transformed

* Recognise that an electrical circuit transfers electrical energy from a source, through a pathway, to a device that transforms electrical energy into other forms of energy

* Identify renewable and non-renewable energy sources

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024

Location

Thalgarrah EEC or at your school

Sample activities schedule


10.00am	Activity 1: Meet a scientist
10.30am	Activity 2: Science activity inspired by visiting scientist
11.00am	Morning Tea
11.20am	Activity 3: Lightbulb investigation
12.40pm	Lunch
1.10pm	Activity 4: Wind turbine investigation
2.20 pm	Program ends

Teacher information


What to bring	Students Comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor learning Hat Covered walking shoes Own recess and lunch ('nude food'/plastic free food is encouraged) Water bottle Teachers Own recess and lunch. Visiting adults are welcome to use the refrigerator and microwave. Tea and coffee is provided. Water bottle Special medical/learning requirements for individual students
Extreme or wet weather	Program may be modified, postponed or cancelled due to predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms. Check the weather forecast for the Armidale area.
Medical notifications	Notify us by completing and returning the student welfare form at least one week before the excursion. This form will be sent out upon confirmation of booking.

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