November Science Blog

Date: 24th May 2023 @ 11:00am

Welcome to our November 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

CAI LUN

Cai Lun invented paper in 105! He used the soft inner bark of a mulberry tree, bamboo fibres and water. After mixing he poured the mixture over cloth and let the water drain away. When the mixture dried it left behind paper! The invention of paper allowed discoveries to be recorded and spread much more easily.

What to look for in nature in November

Welcoming our winter visitors

Redwings and fieldfares are two species of thrush that spend the winter months in the UK. Their diet consists largely of berries and fallen fruit, so they are best looked for in laden hedgerows and trees. From a distance, the two species can be hard to separate from each other, and from song and mistle thrushes.

Listen out for owls this month

You might think November is an odd time to listen out for birds, but tawny owls hold their territories throughout the autumn, and younger birds will be looking to establish their own turf. The calls you hear may be for the purpose of establishing or reinforcing their territory, or to communicate with the mate they hold their territory with.
Did you know that the classic ‘twit twoo’ is a duet? The female goes ‘twit’ or more accurately ‘keewheat’ and males make a more classic ‘ho ho ho hoooo’ call.

Mammals

November can be an excellent time to see mammals. Foxes are on the move, so look out for some new faces in your neighbourhood. Males particularly start to roam far and wide in search of new territories ahead of breeding in a few months’ time.

It’s also very important to check your bonfires thoroughly before lighting them. Hedgehogs (and other wildlife) may be using them for hibernation, or as a place of refuge from the elements.

Insects

Keep an eye out for hibernating ladybirds. They like wedging themselves in windowsills so take care when cleaning. Also, be careful not to disturb any hibernating butterflies that could be lurking in a quiet corner of the house.
Though it may surprise you, there are still moths flying at night! Some species can keep active on colder nights and the aptly named November moth is one to look out for on your lit windows.

Fun Facts! 

HUMAN FACTS

An adult human is thought to contain around 7 Octillion atoms!!

ANIMAL FACTS

Naked Mole Rats have incisors that can move independently of each other, a bit like chopsticks.

FUN SCIENCE FACTS ABOUT BONES

The human foot has 26 bones.

EARTH SCIENCE FACTS

The Earth is only almost a sphere! The poles are slightly flattened.

WATER SCIENCE FACTS

The average human body is made of 50 to 65 percent water

FACTS ABOUT THE SUN

1 million Earths could fit inside the Sun! It’s huge!!

FACTS ABOUT THE WEATHER

Snowflakes can take an hour to fall from a cloud to the ground.

Try this at home:

Have a go at this month’s investigation, “Fireworks in a glass”.

Firework-in-a-Glass-Instructions-Updated.pdf

Why not share what you do in the Kid Zone on the School Blog?

Science Quiz

How much do you know about Nature?

Here are 10 questions to test your knowledge.

The answers will be on November’s Science Blog.

Here are the answers to the Planet Quiz from October’s Blog:

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.