this is my paper bag experiment

Inquiry experiment  

Aim/Purpose : To pop the bag.

Prediction - What do we think is going to happen: I think the paper bag is going to explode.

Steps:     

1.  Open up a paper towel on a flat surface
2. Put 4 levelled teaspoons of baking soda in the centre of the paper towel
3. Wrap up the baking soda in the paper towel like a package - Keep the baking soda concentrated in the middle of the paper towel
4. Tape down your package of baking soda with a piece of masking tape so that everything stays in place
5. Open the vinegar and pour it into a cup - until the cup is half full
6. Then open a zip lock bag and pour the vinegar into it
7. Hold the package inside the zip lock bag, making sure it doesn’t yet make contact with the vinegar - then zip up the bag - making sure that it is completely closed
8. Let the package of baking soda drop into the vinegar and the bag up a little so that they start to mix
9. Observe what happens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlmsiPxEuK0

Materials/equipment:

• Baking Soda  (4 x tablespoons) 
• Vinegar (half a cup)
• Ziploc sandwich bags 
• Plastic spoon
• Paper towel 
• Masking tape

Roles within the group:

1. Presenter - conducts the experiment 
2. Assistant - collects all the materials 
3. Videographer - takes a video of the experiment 
4. Recorder - writes out the steps to follow to correctly conduct the experiment 

After students have prepared they can present the experiment in front of the class who will be the audience. The videographer can record the experiment and the recording can be shared at a later stage.  

The Result - What did we see happen?

The reason for why the paper bag exploded is because as soon as the vinegar met the baking soda it created a gas which created air pressure inside the bag which popped the bag. Surprisingly they both are different reactions. This act can be performed in different ways 

Variables - How could we change the variables?

Predict what might happen if we change the variables 

Experiment - Were our predictions accurate?

The Science - Why did it happen?  Here are some websites to look at…. You may be able to find other websites too!

https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/balloon-baking-soda-vinegar-experiment-kids/

https://www.science-sparks.com/amazing-baking-soda-experiments/

https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-happens-when-you-mix-vinegar-and-baking-soda

https://carrotsareorange.com/baking-soda-vinegar-reaction-experiment/

my experiment

Plants Absorbing Water 

Aim:

To colour celery or cabbage leaves - Try and see how plants absorb water

Materials 

Glass jars x4 

Celery

Cabbage leaves 

4 different colours of food colouring 

Water 

Scissors/knife/chopping board to cut the celery

Method 

FIll up 4 glass jars up to around half way 

Put approximately 10 drops of different coloured food colouring into each jar

Place a celery stick or a cabbage leaf into each jar

Explanation 

Part 1 - Explain why plants need water 

Plants need water for food, to grow, to shape, and finally to spread nutrients throughout its body.

Part 2 - How they absorb water

Plants absorb water through their entire body including roots, stems and leaves. Then their hair creates a pressure which brings the water up its body.

WALT: Write an information report on a bird of our choice

A Hoiho is a yellow eyed penguin exclusive to NZ.  It is endangered and is one of the world’s rarest species of penguin. It is also the bird in the five dollar note, and the bird of the year for 2019.

Looks like 

The Hoiho penguin is covered in feathers.  It has a big white patch on its stomach but its head, back and the top of its flippers are black. It has small yellow eyes as its name suggests. Its bill is red, long and slender. It is also a very tall and heavy creature. 

Habitat

The Hoiho birds habitat includes four main breeding areas in Banks Peninsula, North Otago, Otago Peninsula and the Catlins.  They live in coastal areas, in coastal scrubland and forested areas nearby.

Food/Diet

Hoiho penguins are piscivores, meaning that they only feed on fish.  Some types of fish that they eat are: opal fish, silverside, sprat, aruhu and red cod. Feeding is usually done near the bottom, at depths of up to 160m and as far as 50km offshore.

Breeding

Mating happens about,  Mid-September/October. Two greenish-white eggs, about 75×55 mm in size, are laid. Both parents take turns to sit on the eggs, which takes about 43 days. November/December: The eggs hatch and the guard stage begins.

Predators

On the mainland, stoats and ferrets are the main predators of chicks, and can completely eliminate a breeding area in a single season! Cats are also seen killing hoiho chicks.

Conclusion 

Overall the hoiho penguin is a beautiful unique penguin exclusive to new zealand. Unfortunately though, the hoiho is one of the most endangered animals, with its population being only 1,700.  Humans will need to work hard to assist this bird and help it survive in the wild.  

References

https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/penguins/yellow-eyed-penguin-hoiho/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piscivore

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow-eyed_penguin

I built a building