Visit from Mr Sayer – Scientists in Schools
By Estelle Chan 6B
On the 12th June the year 6B class had a special visit from Mr Sayer. Mr Sayer is a mechanical engineer. He came to St Emilie’s to teach us about mechanics. We learned about the triangular truss. The truss is very supportive and a good way to hold up an object such as a bridge or bicycle. We learned that the triangle shape is the strongest and can support the most weight.
We also learned about compression and tension. Compression is when you push an object in or together, for example a spring. If you push it in and store it is known as potential energy. Potential energy is when something is stored and has energy in it. So if you opened the can with the spring in it, the spring will use energy and spring up into the air. This is like a trampoline. When you come down the springs use the energy to spring you up into the air.
Tension is when you pull of stretch something too far. If you pull an object as much as you can you will eventually snap it because it wouldn’t be able to take on all the pressure (also known as tension). For example, if you keep on pulling a streamer as far as you can, it would snap in half. It is also like stretching a rubber band. If you keep on yanking on it, it will expand and snap.
Tension is when you pull of stretch something too far. If you pull an object as much as you can you will eventually snap it because it wouldn’t be able to take on all the pressure (also known as tension). For example, if you keep on pulling a streamer as far as you can, it would snap in half. It is also like stretching a rubber band. If you keep on yanking on it, it will expand and snap.
Another thing we learned from Mr Sayer was that a piece of paper could actually hold a few things and quite a bit of weight. We learned that if you fold or change the way of your paper to hold up items it would actually stay up for the way you have constructed it. So basically we now know that if we just change the way or if we construct our item differently if will be able to hold some weight.
Mr Sayer then taught us about solar energy. We know the Sun produces heat and light. When the Sun hits the panels, the panels collect the heat in a space just inside and under the panels. When the panels get the heat it’s known as heat energy. When it is waiting to be used it is known as potential energy.
We also learned how electricity is made. Mr Sayer showed us that if you get two magnets and another material and rub them together you could make electricity. We also learned about circuits. If you flip the switch on the light it will create a circuit. If you switch it off you will cut the circuit. To make the circuit it all has to b joined together. If there is a gap in the circuit there will be no electricity.
We also learned, step-by-step, how a can and a plastic bottle are formed. Mr Sayer taught us quite a lot of techniques and strategies that none of us knew about. We were all amazed with the clear and outstanding experiments. It was as if we were in Scitech. We learned some new information and a lot more about science. This presentation was amazing. It was a great experience to have Mr Sayer visit us.
Next term we look forward to learning about pressure with Mr Sayer.
Mr Sayer then taught us about solar energy. We know the Sun produces heat and light. When the Sun hits the panels, the panels collect the heat in a space just inside and under the panels. When the panels get the heat it’s known as heat energy. When it is waiting to be used it is known as potential energy.
We also learned how electricity is made. Mr Sayer showed us that if you get two magnets and another material and rub them together you could make electricity. We also learned about circuits. If you flip the switch on the light it will create a circuit. If you switch it off you will cut the circuit. To make the circuit it all has to b joined together. If there is a gap in the circuit there will be no electricity.
We also learned, step-by-step, how a can and a plastic bottle are formed. Mr Sayer taught us quite a lot of techniques and strategies that none of us knew about. We were all amazed with the clear and outstanding experiments. It was as if we were in Scitech. We learned some new information and a lot more about science. This presentation was amazing. It was a great experience to have Mr Sayer visit us.
Next term we look forward to learning about pressure with Mr Sayer.