Incredible Inventions

This term we are being led by significant historical figures, focusing on scientists and engineers that have changed our lives and the work of others, through their clever inventions such as Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Thomas Edison, William Caxton and Joseph Nicéphore Niépce.

We continue the innovator theme in English, being inspired by fiction-style books about real inventions and inventors, including “Mr Ferris and his Wheel”, by Kathryn Gibbs Davis and “The Crayon Man” by Edward Binney. We will be following in the footsteps of Mr Ferris, making a proposal for our own new exhibition at the World Fair, to be published in our class book.

In science, we will research scientists that have discovered new materials such as John Dunlop, Charles Macintosh, John McAdam and Kiara Nirghin, before continuing to develop our working scientifically skills, by designing and completing practical investigations. Whilst in art, we will be developing our sketching and drawing skills following the work of Maria Sibylla Merian, to produce our own scientific illustrations.

Making our own waterproof material

Over the last few weeks, Gazelle Class have been learning about inventors and scientists who have followed their ideas and dreams to create new materials or objects that have changed our lives, such as Thomas Edison with the light bulb and John Dunlop, the rubber tyre. Putting our scientific skills into practice, we followed in Charles Macintosh's footsteps to make our own waterproof material. We found PVA glue worked the best, though olive oil also sometimes worked well with the water sitting on top of our material. We just had to make sure there were no gaps!