Jeremy busy with his group

This team comprising Jeremy Varendorff (Engineering), Leo Xie (Engineering), Epineri Korovakaturaga Ganilau (Architecture), and Tyra Gunnis (Film and TV) implemented two activities in classes 4 and 5. They used ipads in their classrooms – this activity could have been a first for Fiji…in a primary school.

Tyra with her students at Sabeto District School

Electricity can be scary. Really Epineri?

Leo and Leo or just a miracle of digital technology

The causes and effects of food and water contamination was discussed in class 4. How contamination can be avoided was also discussed. The students then participated in an experiment where water was purified using basic materials such as plastic bottles, activated charcoal, sand, gravel and cotton wool. This basic setup does purify water and can have some implications for communities in developing countries. Activated charcoal has the potential to remove some impurities. Students used this knowledge to explain what they had done in a video. imovie on ipads was used for this activity. The following achievement indicators in health science were addressed through this activity: (a) discuss the importance of having clean food and water, and (b) explain how to avoid contamination.

Students at the Sabeto Central School explaining their experiment on camera

In class 5, students conducted experiments on series and parallel circuits. They used their knowledge to explain how circuits worked by creating digital animations. This was a unique idea where the app mycreate on ipads was used creatively. This activity addressed achievement indicators in science. These were: (a) Construct a series circuit; (b) Construct a parallel circuit; (c) Use both circuits to light 2 bulbs at one time, and (d) Compare the two and discuss the importance of each.

The circuits worked for the children at the Sabeto District School

Setting up for the animation

Jeremy, Leo, Epi, and Tyra – what a great team. The animations and videos created in these activities spoke volumes of the knowledge that students developed through this activity. All students were engaged, interested and having fun. Two excellent science activities. In times of natural disasters such as cyclones and floods which is very common in this part of the world, the water purification experiment conducted by this group can come in very handy.  Jeremy, Leo, Epi, and Tyra – Well done!

Happy teachers and…

Happy children!