Southern Light Spectacle

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/91832560/southern-lights-delight-new-zealand-for-the-second-night-in-a-row?cid=facebook.ad.April

It is fun being a science monitor!!!

Reuben sharing his Kon Tiki styled model ... part of the group's study of the amazing Pacific Navigators

It is GIANT PUMPKIN time again ... Congrats Manasseh ... first one in and what a beauty .... WELL DONE .... Manasseh's secret growing tip???? WAS ... coffee grinds! WOW!

FUNGI FRIDAY ... was an opportunity to celebrate the amazing contribution fungi make to our lives and the planet.

  Our students were invited to bring and to look at a few of the one and a half million species of fungi in our world

.

Because fungi have the potential to unlock biological material and convert it into something else, they are being used in a multitude of ways e.g.for  medicine, food, textiles, fibre, packaging material and even biofuel.  NZ fungi are prominent in the research into the  development of new antibiotics to replace those which are bacteria resistant. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlcKBKJ8uro

It's FUNGI FRIDAY tomorrow ... bring your fungi and WOW and LEARN. Add to this wee collection ... Fungi are fascinating :-)

So you are stranded on an Island !!! How would you make fresh water from the salty seawater, using a few items salvaged from your capsized boat? ... Here are some of the group's first ideas. Hey ... think about the experiments we have been doing :-)

What is the difference between physical and chemical changes? A year 7 group check it out.

Brainstorming, sharing ideas, testing and measuring.

Pumpkin Judging is on the 10th April :-) .. A few horror / disappointment stories are coming in ... we will all enjoy the humour!!!! Bring them in anytime before the 10th ... maybe you have a story, poem, video etc instead / or as well. All welcome.

"My pumpkin plant is like a triffid !! AND it has taken over the back yard !!

The leaves are HUGE !"

"It's gone rotten!!!  The babies keep falling off !!"  and this poem came in:

"I'm a BIG, FAT pumpkin,
Been growing fast and swell.
The rain did come
And drenched my fun.

Now I've rotted !! Oh Well ! (sigh)"  

No worries kids ... the weather has challenged us all this season: drought and rain ... stories, photos and pumpkins are all very welcome.  It is the process not always the outcome that matters and we can all have a few laughs.  Wait 'til you see my pumpkins!!!

Hey ... the Monach caterpillars are enjoying pumpkin along with their diet of swanplant.

The Butterflies are FREE

Come check out these little fellas in the lepidopterarium in the sci tech room. Metamorphosis in action.

Year 7 study the science in a candle.

Ring of Fire Eclipse .... watch live on Sunday 26th Feb :-)

http://www.sciencealert.com/a-ring-of-fire-eclipse-is-happening-this-sunday-here-s-how-to-watch

Hey Kids ... a piece out of a 'food web' ... can you relate this to one of our themes this year ? ' Energy cannot be created or destroyed ? ' ... Thought you could :-)

Testing our air-pressure rockets ... the day was far too windy for good science but plenty of ideas were forthcoming for .... factors which affected the rocket's flight ... and for modifications.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_7uQezg-lc

How are your Pumpkins Growing? Giant Pumpkins will be judged at the end of term one .... they will be loving this rain !!!

Here are some beauties from 2016.  Their happy growers enjoying a relax after lifting them into the garden!  Some were 100kgs+!!  although size was not the only category :-)

Scientist ... Nanogirl visited HNI .... check out this video of her show ... https://youtu.be/FkInHz4UoFc

Scientist ... Nanogirl ... presented to HNI

was exciting 'explosive' learning for all attending.
Nanogirl = Dr Michelle Dickinson, a well known scientist and presenter of science shows touring NZ was a great role model for our students. A true promoter of making science accessible, understandable and the learning fun for everyone..  She is up-to-date with the latest in the science world and is an inspirational presenter.
She visited us on 12 December, 2016 and we look forward to seeing her again.

Her 2016 Tour Show for YOU to view ...  (about an hour long.)

Family fun .. enjoy it :-)

https://youtu.be/FkInHz4UoFc

CONGRATULATIONS to our HB PROJECT WNNERS for 2016 ..... And to all students who prepared a project for our class and school competitions ... You are all awesome!

CONGRATULATIONS to HNI students for  gaining ....... 2nd place in the HB Science Quiz

AND 2nd and 3rd placings in the HB Technology Challenge.

Thank-you to the Hawkes Bay Science and technology Committee, and all the sponsors, for their generosity in donating time, expertise and resources. This does such a lot to foster student learning and excitement in many aspects of science.