To fit in with several of our topics, Year 4 went to Birmingham Botanical Gardens for the day. We had a tour of the tropical, sub-tropical, arid and Mediterranean glasshouses where we learned about the different places that useful plants actually come from, such as coffee, tea, rubber, cocoa and vanilla, as well as how they are adapted to survive where they live. For example, tropical plants have pointed, waxy leaves to help shed the heavy rainfall while Mediterranean leaves are soft and furry to protect them from the hot summer sun.

We also did a maths trail and explored the gardens including browsing the bamboo, rambling through the rock gardens and examining the exotic birds.

Year 4 had a fantastic day out and learnt lots too!

Not one experiment. Not two experiments. But three experiments this afternoon as we explored electricity. We investigated different light bulbs, the effect of changing the voltage and whether some metals were better conductors than other metals. I meant a busy afternoon of testing and learning.

This week we started our new science topic: electricity! We’ve been investigating how to make electrical circuits and got to explore lights, motors and buzzers.

We found out lots of things such as bulbs get brighter, motors get faster and buzzers get louder (our favourite) if you connect more cells. Also, the motor changed direction if you change the wires over.

We even used different types of switches to make lighting circuits and door bells.

This week Year 4 have been investigating what happens when we eat. On Monday we did an experiment to find out if we are supertasters – people with more tastebuds who taste flavours more strongly. We all wanted to be supertasters but the downside is that supertasters are more fussy about what they eat – those sprouts taste really strong!

Then on Tuesday, we had an exciting live lesson with the BBC and other schools from all over the country. We learned lots of amazing things. Did you know that a blue whale’s tongue weighs as much as an elephant?

As part of our Mediterranean theme, Year 4 have been researching the dangers faced by sea turtles. Did you know that turtles mistake plastic carrier bags for jellyfish – one of their favourite foods! The things we do and choose to eat can have a huge impact on other creatures and so we made posters to spread he message.

Having made lots of noise during our sound topic, this week we explored how we could stop noise as we investigated sound proofing. Using a sound meter on the iPads we tested a range of materials to see which was best at blocking sound.

4RF conducted an investigation this week to discover which shape column was the strongest. We tested cylinders, cuboids, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal and octagonal prisms. Even though each column was made out of just a single piece of paper, the strongest held almost 3kg!

Which was the strongest? Well, let’s not spoil it for 4AB…

We have been investigating melting. We planned an experiment to see if different coloured ice cubes melted at the same speed. Then we drew cartoons to record how fast the different cubes melted.

Year 4 had a fantastic time investigating habitats at Lower Smite Farm! We left the rain behind and enjoyed a brilliant day in the sun doing lots of science investigations.

Pond dipping revealed a wealth of water animals from water boatmen to mayfly nymph, from newts to dragonfly nymph and much more.

A hunt through the woodland and edge of the meadow revealed bush crickets, centipedes, woodlice, frogs and newts, slugs and snails, frog hoppers and a range of beetles. One beetle was of particular scientific interest and as yet unidentified! Year 4 wait excitedly for the experts to report back!

A big thank you to everyone at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and our parent helpers who helped the day run smoothly.

Just in time before the rain came (and before the grass was cut!) 4RF spent an afternoon surveying the school field, recording their observations of the plants growing there.

But surely it’s all grass right?

Well we identified daisy, dandelion, both white and red clover, shamrock, thistle, speedwell, greater plantain, narrow leaf plantain, buttercup, dove’s foot cranesbill, chickweed and broad-leaved dock…

…And we haven’t even started on the hedgerow yet.

We also spotted something unusual on the surface of some tree leaves – strange reddish cones growing out of the leaf. After some research they turned out to be lime nail galls. They’re formed by microscopic mites that feed on the leaves of lime trees. The mites feed by sucking sap but while doing so produce chemicals that cause the leaves to produce the brightly coloured galls.