My Straw Chain -

Facing and Meeting Challenges - Camp 2017

Giant Ladders:

It was a very cold day, however, the sun came out most of the time on for our camp challenge on Friday the 23rd of June 2017

The long-awaited day had finally arrived and all the Room 8 students went to Camp at Long Bay known as MERC (Marine Education Reserve Centre)  All students arrived at Camp and started off the day with an introduction.

The students were split into two groups. Both groups did the same activities but were rotated across these at different times. Before we set off with our groups to do our first activities, we were introduced to our instructors, Akari and Jono.

As Akari and Jono talked to us about MERC and asked us questions, they also talked to us about our first two activities.

Abseiling was my group's first activity. I felt very scared so I cried in tears because I thought I could not make it to the top and to the bottom. But really, we only had to climb down and that was it. The wall did not look that high but when I stood up at the top it was REALLY high. When It was my turn, I felt super scared so I just went slowly and slowly until in shock, my foot touched the ground. I felt amazed that I made it to the bottom with a little bit of encouragement and tears.

When it was my group's turn for the Giant Ladders, I felt afraid because I thought that I would not make it to the top, it really was high up and each step was further away from the previous one.  Our instructor Akari, gave the instructions of how giant ladder works and how to put on our gear such as the harness and the helmet. There were many importances of each gear, so we had to listen very carefully. The harness was a bit different to the harness we wore during abseiling.

As the minutes felt as seconds, it was my TURN to climb up the really giant long ladder. My partner and I helped each other out when we needed help because it was a bit tricky for us to climb. We climbed up and up with help and encouragement. However, we couldn't make it to the top but at least we made it just to the one before the top ladder. It was now time for us to climb back down to the ground just like a frog. It was really hard and scary for me because I thought I would fall, however, the anchor people were holding me safely and tightly. As I climbed up, I was a bit happy because I was climbing up really long giant ladders

At last, I felt like a champion climbing up and down just like I’d climbed up on a normal ladder! And I also felt happy that I climbed and achieved my goals for the day, I had faced the challenges and overcome my fear!

Bodyboarding Merc 2017 - By Launoa

A snapshot of excitement Merc 2017
























Bodyboarding

At Merc 12 students were so eager to immerse themselves in the water to face the challenge of bodyboarding for the first time and to get themselves covered in goosebumps. Bodyboarding can be an addiction for young and old people who enjoy being in water especially children like me and my friends.

Whistle instructions were given out, at the first whistle- stop look, listen and the sound of  2 whistles signaling that it was necessary to evacuate the water immediately and the listen closely and quickly to follow the instructions given out by the instructor. It is essential to listen to what instructions that were given out so that we knew what to do id and when a rare emergency occurred.

The water was freezing at first but it turned out to be warm after all the movements that made from the activity were accomplished. After instructions were given out by the instructor, it was time to catch some waves. It was confusing at first because we expected to be given lessons but, instead, it was about using the knowledge about swimming within the waves and enjoying our day at Merc- Long Bay. It was difficult to go through the waves because of the force as they crashed into the shore and quickly spread and became calm.  It was like the heavy tunnels of waves that had challenged each rider had not happened.

As the petrifying waves formed, riders quickly and impatiently jumped on top of their bodyboards to swim with it. Squeals of excitement filled the air, the water was so cold and it felt like sliding across ice.
Everyone wore wetsuits, fortunately, which kept the riders warm. For some of the children in room 8, it was a challenge something they had never tried in their lives before and they overcame their own fears of being around enormous waves. For most,  it was their first time to have the chance to swim with waves like swimming with dolphins.

Our instructor, while being in the water, kept an eye out for any possible rips in the water because it can be very dangerous and they can be located anywhere at the beach. It can be near or far and can lead to people being pulled down under the water.

Instead of swimming or going on top of waves, many riders immersed themselves under waves, diving and then coming up with the waves rolling over their heads and sliding off their backs. Waves passed and carried the riders back to shore, whistle instructions were blown out and bodyboarding was over.

Everyone had a great time and for many, it was their first time experiencing bodyboarding, all riders look forward to doing bodyboarding again.

My first challenge at Camp - Something to remember.

My first challenge at Camp  -  Something to remember.

The wind battered against my back, it was cold and wild. The water formed and splashed onto my shivering body. I traveled farther into the waves, strapped by a small and adequate strap attached to my wrist connected to a body board.

My mind was rigid, I was confused and tense with the challenge  I had to accomplish.

“What should I do?

Why am I here?

What if I drown?”

Those three questions remained in my head, as I laid my board down and nervously jumped onto it. A wave suddenly approached. I  closed my eyes tightly and those three short questions repeated over and over, However, as the wave converged towards me and forced me to shore, I had this strong urge to try a thousand more times. “This is the best activity I have ever experienced!” I said with such imitation and exhilaration.  Facing challenges promotes a person’s ability to achieve more. A sense of determination and achievement grew.  

Challenge one achieved!  What an experienced!  Somehow the cold water and the wind no longer seemed as an issue.  I was having the time of my life, It was super exciting and breathtaking and an experience I will never forget.

Merc -  Long Bay  Bodyboarding 2017

Muscle Man

Muscle Man

Art Acrostic Poem

WALHT: Make a acrostic poem.

Chemical Fizz

Wahlt
To observe & measure the chemical reaction between an acid and a base.

Chemical reactions involve the release of heat energy (exothermic) or the absorption of heat (endothermic). When reactants in this experiment meet, the temperature drops.
Other forms of energy can also be detected as the experiment proceeds. If you can hear anything, then sound energy is at work. Look foe movement this is kinetic energy.

Materials
measuring spoon or beaker
large measuring cylinder
5 ml Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
50 ml Vinegar

Hypothesis
When Bicarbonate of soda (base) and vinegar (acid) are mixed together, I think the mixture will fizz & increase towards the top.
Starting Volume: 55 ml
End Volume: 500 ml

Method
Carefully put 5 ml dry Bicarbonate of soda in a measuring cylinder.
Add 50 ml vinegar

Result:
The reaction was rapid (quick) and as it died down I could see the bubbles (foam) disappearing and the colour changed to a light brown.

Hypothesis:
My hypothesis was valid because I guessed the accurate amount for the ending volume and because if you add the right amount the Bicarbonate of soda & vinegar creates a chemical reaction.

Reflection in a bubble

Reflection of a bubble:

The year 8’s attended their 4th assignment of science with Mrs Gawith (our teacher). Our task today was to observe the reflection of bubbles provided with the help of sunlight booming through our window. Here is the procedure of what I have completed….

Materials:

• A Straw
• A plastic clear container
• Detergent, glycerin, water
• Natural sunlight facing the table or counter top.

Method:

1. Fill the clear container with the liquid solution and dampen your table, where the sunlight is located.
2. Plunge the straw into the solution and blow a semi circle bubble onto the table.
3. Observe carefully as colours will appear reflecting the sunlight, before evaporating.

Discover all the amazing colours and patterns of a bubble!

WALHT: Include a range of sophisticated/interesting words to hook our audience 

Reflection of a bubble! Reflection of a bubble: Screenshot 2017-05-25 at 12.19.41.pngThe year 8’s attended their 4th assignment of science with Mrs Gawith (our teacher). Our task today was to observe the reflection of bubbles provided with the help of sunlight booming through our window. Here is the procedure of what I have completed….

Making Fridge Magnets - By Xyril

My fridge magnet was too big! Today was a foggy day of Technicraft. I didn't really catch up to the other students, but I know what they did. We've been focusing on making fridge magnets, and these are the materials on making it: Piece of wood Copy of a character you want (examples: Iron man, Batman, etc.) Transfer ink paper Wood tracing burner Paint tray Paint Primer spray paint Scroll saw Safety glasses Stick-on magnet or Magnetic tape Procedure: Take a piece of wood (22.5 cm x 15 cm) and make sure it's not too thick. Print out a copy of a character you would like and make sure it has the right size. Cut around the image of the character you chose. Get a transfer ink paper and tape it on the piece of wood. Do the same with the character, tape it on top of the transfer paper. Start drawing on the outline of the character. Take just the transfer paper by the tape and you can see that it's probably exactly like the actual image. Ask an adult to run a scroll saw and while waiting, mark around your character with a pencil on where you're going to cut. Before cutting, get yourself safety glasses just to protect your eyes. Move your character forward while cutting, but turn it so you can get the shape that you want for it. Put a stick-on magnet behind the wood after you've cut your character. And there you have it, your magnificent fridge magnet!!!

Post Card linking scripture from Ezekiel 22:20 by Eugene

Postcard of Ezekiel 22:20

Endothermic Reactions

Would you like to know what is the difference between an endothermic and an exothermic reaction? This is a video of my partner and I doing an endothermic reaction and talking a littler bit about it!

Glossary:

Endothermic - A reaction which absorbs or requires heat.

Exothermic - A reaction that releases light and heat.

Jesus and the Role of His Disciples Today - By Glen