Electricity-simple circuits

Using a battery pack, a bulb and holder plus a set of cables we were asked to create a simple circuit and make the bulb light up.  We investigated how joining the cables to the battery pack and then to each side of the bulb holder created a full circuit and caused the bulb to light.  We also discovered that if we removed even one of the cables from the bulb holder the circuit would be broken and the bulb would now light. Take a look at our experiment.

Magnetism

Mrs. Kelly’s class took on the task of test magnets in the classroom.  We worked in pairs and were given a magnet and a box of different items such as pencils, paper clips, plastic cubes and even the school bell.  Some of us even tested our shoes!!  We had to decide which items would be attracted to a magnet and which would not.  Then it was testing time.  Take a look at how we got on.  

Magnetic cars

Mr. Daly’s class were given the task of designing a course onto which we would put a car.  The object of the task was to get the car to move without touching it!  We used 2 magnets, a car and a variety of card, paint other materials to construct the course.  The courses were very detailed, some with tunnels and others having a 2nd storey.

We put a magnet into the car and holding onto the 2nd magnet underneath the course we made the car move!  We discovered that two magnets can either attract or repel each other. If the North pole of the magnet in the car is facing the North pole of the other magnet the magnets will repel each other and the car will move.  The same is true when the South poles of the magnets are facing each other.

Making Paper Helicopters

Mrs. Kelly’s 2nd and 3rd class made 2 paper helicopters each, one big and one small.  We used paper, rulers and paper clips.  We tested them outside. We learned that gravity pulls them to the ground when we dropped them.  We discovered that the smaller helicopter hit the ground first because the blades are smaller.