How do we harness the power of water?

This week students learned that people have been using the power of water to do work or generate electricity for thousands of years.

Water wheels are machines that use the energy of flowing or falling water (or both) to turn a wheel. The power/strength of the flowing water would turn the wheel which would then turn a cog to make a machine work.

During our STEAM session, students worked with a buddy to make their own water wheels... (using plastic plates and straws etc.)

Finished water wheels...

A  quick test...

Exploring the power of water

Working with Room 5, students had the opportunity to work with a buddy to explore their thinking on the power of water. They used tinfoil to make a little boat...

The boats were taken to the swimming pool and put it in the water. They noticed that they wind was slowly moving the boats.

Students had to put their hands in the pool to create some 'waves'. They noticed that the boats were rocking around and were moving around a bit faster...

Junior School trip - The Power of Water

Rooms 4 and 5 visited Aratiatia Dam and the Wairakei Terraces for our inquiry this term.

Everyone could hear the warning sirens on our arrival at Aratiatia Dam. We watched the opening of the dam and saw thousands of litres of rushing water passed through the dam gates.

On the other side of the walkway we could see the rapids...

It was quite a stunning display!

We also visited the Wairakei Terraces where we saw the striking blue water from the cooling ponds flowing over a waterfall into the Waiora Pool. We saw silica terraces, thermal pools and a stream.

Students liked the geyser where silica enriched water are brought to the earth's surface from 1.5km underground to flow out of this geyser at 130 degrees Celsius.

A couple of tired students on our way back to school....

A warm thank you to all our parent helpers for your support on this day! We could not have done this without you! You are appreciated!