Togher N.S.

Lifetime Lab

The children in 5th and 6th classes travelled to Lifetime Lab on 24th March. They learned interesting facts about different types of forces including gravity, friction and magnetic force. They also learned how to measure forces using the Newton Scale. During the workshop activities, various groups of children designed and made a balloon rocket, a wind powered car, a water wheel, a submarine and a magnetic car. Everyone agreed that this day was an outstanding opportunity to learn science.

Circuit

Making a circuit is great fun. First you need:
Light bulb
Battery
Wires
Crocodile Clips
Battery holder
Any metal conductors
Paper clips

EASY WAY:

First attach the crocodile clips to the battery. The other sides of the crocodile clips must attach to the light bulb to make it light up.

HARDER WAY:

It would be great if you could get a chair with metal legs. First put all the stuff on the list on the floor. Then attach the crocodile clips to the battery. Attach two batteries to the metal chair.

By Orla, Amber & Georgina

Making An Electric Fan

First of all we had to read the instructions carefully. Then we took the crocodile clips, and connected one end to the battery and one end to a small motor. Instantly the tiny motor whirred and sprang to life.

Delighted, we set about making the blades of the fan. We used card, but at first it did not work very well, as it was in a circle. So we cut it into proper blades, and added and extra 2 cards. It worked perfectly then, whirring and fanning.

But it wasn’t over! We had to make a switch. So we took a small piece of cardboard and used 2 paper fasteners to let the electricity flow through the circuit, but we had to hold it down and that’s not how a switch works! So, we got a paper clip and slid it over the fasteners and voila!! Job done! Now all we had to do was slide the clip on and off to power the fan! Ingenious, don’t you think?

By Eileen and Jyoti

Making An Electric Fan

When we were at the Lifetime Lab, we made electric fans. The materials we used were : paper, marla, crocodile clips, cardboard and scissors, and a motor.

We cut the paper into shape. Then we used crocodile clips to attach the motor to the battery. We attached it with marla to secure it.

Next we devised a switch to turn it on and off using paperclips and cardboard. It worked perfectly and it only took 10 minutes to make.

It was an amazing experience and a great day. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot.

By Sadbh and Ella

Making An Electric Car

Yesterday we went to Lifetime Labs in Cork city. There we experimented with making electronic cars from cardboard, pulleys, elastic and a battery. After a confusing time of building the car, we raced it with the one our friends made.

We had a race but both sides cheated and no car crossed the finish line. The cars were successful and we were very happy with our car.

It was a great day. We all had a lot of fun. We all hope to go again.

By Clay and Colm

To Make An Electric Car

Materials: Cardboard, batteries (with wires), 2 wheels (connected), motor, wheel, elastic band, straw, sellotape, metal pole.

How to make: Step 1: Get the cardboard base. Stick the
3 wheels through the straw and
sellotape to one end of the
cardboard base.

Step 2: Cut a hole in the middle of the
cardboard. Then stick the pole
through the wheel. Sellotape over
the hole.

Step 3: Attach motor to cardboard and
then attach to the wheel in the
middle with rubber band. Then
attach the battery to the motor
and you have your custom made car.

Our car travelled the length of the room at Lifetime Labs in 30 seconds. We were excited and proud of our invention.

Lifetime Lab!

First we came in and put our things in the lockers. Then we went into the classroom and talked to Una. Then she took out three lemons, three zinc nails and three copper coins.

Next she put a coin and a zinc nail into each lemon. Then she gave one to Georgina, one to Lauren and one to Mae. Then she fixed them together with wires and finally a buzzer. When she turned it on it buzzed.

Next we had lunch for about five minutes, then we went to the visitor centre and messed around with the things there.

Then we went back to the classroom and made loads of things like cars, light houses, buzzers, fans and much more. Then we had the electric quiz and after that we finally went home!

Conductors

Conductors are materials which let electricity flow through them. Insulators are materials which do not allow electricity flow through. We were split up into separate groups. We all go to go to a table. We found out what a conductor is and what an insulator is. We tested out if these materials will conduct or insulate :
A spoon
A coke can
Wool
Felt
A badge
A bit of plastic
If the light on the circuit lights up, it was a conductor. If not it was and insulator. It was very fun and leaned a lot. We also did electric cars, circuits, fans and buzzers.

A Lemon Battery

Yesterday, the 3 of February, our classroom, 4, 5 and 6, went on an educational science trip to Lifetime Labs in Cork city.
It was very interesting, even at the star. We all sat down and started listening to a scientist called Una. She was very nice and taught us science in a fun way, and I think everyone will agree when we say, “It’s easier to lean when it’s fun”.
Enough talk. I know you are dying to hear how we got on with the lemon battery, so here is how you would make one:
You will need:
1 to 3 lemons (with hole and slits that are big enough to fit a coin in).
2 to 4 wire clips
1 to 3 copper coins
1 three volt buzzer
1 to 3 Zinc nails
1. Stick zinc nail into the lemon.
2. Stick copper coin into one of the slits.
3. Connect two wires to the coin and zinc nail.
4. Connect two wires to the buzzer if you dare.

If you follow these instructions you will end up with a working buzzer. By Alannagh and Wynona

Making Lemon Batteries

On Tuesday 3 February, 4, 5 and 6 class went to Lifetime Lab. It was snowing!
The woman called up my friends and me to hold a lemon with a slit and 2 holes in it. She told us to put a copper coin and a zinc nail in it.
She then got a buzzer and put the 2 wires on the zinc nail and the other on the coin and the buzzer started buzzing (not very loud) but it was quite interesting.
After that she got new crocodile clips and attached all the lemon batteries together.
It was amazingly funny that zinc, copper and the acid from the lemon could make a buzzer buzz so loud.
The thing was, you put the coin in the slit, but you made a new hole for the nail.

By Lauren and Mae