Science Week sparks a continuing spirit of inquiry at Barmera Primary School

At Barmera Primary School, National Science Week was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate curiosity, practical investigation and the excitement of discovery. In the Yellow Unit, students worked alongside Mr Pearce on a range of engaging scientific experiences that connected classroom learning with the world around them.

This enthusiasm was evident throughout the week as students investigated, observed, created and asked thoughtful questions. The activities encouraged them to view science not simply as a subject, but as a way of exploring how natural systems work and how people can better understand and care for their environment.

“Although it was Science Week, every week is science week with Mr Pearce.”

Connecting science with the local environment

A key focus of the Yellow Unit’s science learning has been the health of Lake Bonney. Students have been developing their monitoring skills as they explore what water health can tell us about a local environment. This work gives students a meaningful connection to the place in which they live, while building their capacity to observe carefully, record evidence and discuss the factors that support healthy waterways.

The learning will continue beyond National Science Week, with students undertaking further monitoring of Lake Bonney water health during September. By returning to the investigation over time, students will be able to deepen their understanding of environmental change and the value of ongoing scientific observation.

Exploring science in creative and practical ways

Science Week also provided opportunities for students to explore a broad range of scientific ideas through hands-on experiences. Rock tumbling offered a fascinating way to investigate how rocks can be changed through movement, friction and time. Students will continue following this process and observing the gradual transformation of their samples.

Students have also been using Create Environment Merge Cubes to build and explore digital environments. These interactive tools support students to visualise scientific concepts and experiment with ideas in an engaging way. Alongside this, the class has been developing science photography skills, learning how photographs can capture detail, document observations and communicate scientific findings.

What comes next

The learning will continue with a new investigation into the movement of plants, animals and water through a soil profile. This will allow students to explore the soil beneath their feet as a living, dynamic system. They will consider how water travels through different layers of soil and how plants and animals depend on this environment.

Rather than ending with National Science Week, these experiences will carry forward into the term and provide authentic opportunities for students to question, investigate and share their learning. The Yellow Unit is showing that science is at its most powerful when it is hands-on, connected to real places and fuelled by curiosity.