December Science Blog
Date: 24th May 2023 @ 2:52pm
Welcome to our December Science Blog!
Do you love learning about the world around us? If so, you will love our Science Blog!
Each month you will:
- Learn about a famous scientist and their work
- Find out what to look out for in nature this month
- Discover fun facts about different areas of science
- Have a go at a scientific investigation
- Test your knowledge in our Quiz
We hope you have fun!
Scientist of the month
CHARLES DARWIN (1809-1882)
Charles Darwin showed that that life on Earth is the result of millions of years of gradual changes, a theory we call Evolution by Natural Selection. It means that animals best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and pass those features onto their offspring.
Darwin made his discoveries while on a 5 year voyage on a ship called HMS Beagle. He collected samples, fossils and made observations.
What to look for in nature in December
December sees the shortest day of the year, but it certainly isn’t short on wildlife to discover wherever you are this month!
Murmurations
Have you ever wondered why starlings murmurate? It is believed that they gather into large groups to achieve safety in numbers, surveying the area before they settle to roost for the night. This mass movement of birds makes for a fantastic winter spectacle, so keep your eyes to the skies as the sun begins to set.
Flocking together
Jackdaws are also well-known for gathering in large flocks. At dusk, they swirl over our towns and villages as they head to a roost in a nearby copse or woodland. They can be pretty vocal, making quite a racket as they prepare to settle down for the night!
Mistle thrush singing
Winter isn't always associated with bird song, but the mistle thrush continues to sing throughout the colder months. Although they no longer have nests to defend, they will be guarding their food supplies when natural resources become less abundant.
Fun Facts!
HUMAN FACTS
*Your brain is more powerful, more complex and more clever than any computer ever built.
ANIMAL FACTS
*A type of stick insect called Chan’s Megastick can grow to over half a metre long!
FUN SCIENCE FACTS ABOUT BONES
*The human hand ( including the wrist ) had 54 bones!
EARTH SCIENCE FACTS
*It takes 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds for the Earth to rotate once on its axis.
WATER SCIENCE FACTS
*There is more water in the atmosphere than in all of our rivers combined.
FACTS ABOUT THE SUN
*The diameter of Jupiter is the same as 11 Earths!
FACTS ABOUT THE WEATHER
*You can use a pine cone to predict the weather.
Try this at home:
Have a go at this month’s investigation, “Frost on a can”.
Why not share what you do in the Kid Zone on the School Blog?
Science Quiz
How much do you know about Plants?
Here are 10 questions to test your knowledge.
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1. The scientific study of plant life is known as what? |
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2. The process of plants using energy from sunlight to turn carbon dioxide into food is known as what? |
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3. True or false? In the right conditions bamboo can grow over 60cm (24in) in just one day. |
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4. The movement of pollen from the anthers to the stigma of a flower is known as what? |
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5. Amber is made from fossilized tree _____? |
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6. True or false? Humans were on Earth before plants. |
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7. What grain has the highest level of worldwide production? (Hint: Rice is second) |
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8. A trailing or climbing plant is also known as a _____? |
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9. True or false? Pitcher plants are carnivorous. |
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10. The Japanese word “sakura” means the blossoming of what kind of tree? |
The answers will be on January’s Science Blog.
Here are the answers to the Nature Quiz from November’s Blog:
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1. Great Barrier Reef |
2. Female |
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3. False (April 22) |
4. Arizona |
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5. True |
6. Reduce, reuse and recycle |
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7. False (keratin) |
8. Galapagos Islands |
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9. Uluru |
10. True |
Need even more Science?
Starters for STEM are 10 activities that parents can use at home to help children develop their science, technology, engineering and maths skills. These activities are easy to resource and provide children with the stimulus to talk about the world around them. If you see a link, you can explore how to extend these activities, you will need to sign up, for free, to access these materials.
