Boomerangs in Social Studies.

Explain the purpose of the activity

Since the last week of term two, we have been learning about aboriginal art, symbols and boomerangs. The first task that we had to do was research. The research involved finding out information about the symbols that were used, and the types of boomerangs. The purpose of the activity was to find out about a different culture and to explain the way that some people express themselves through the art and designs that they do. 

The story of my boomerang

I didn't really have a story, I just went straight in and painted as I wasn't here the first two days and didn't have time to plan it. But after I started painting and hoping for the best, I found a story within the paint that I had strewn across it. I decided that it was about how the earth water and sun all relate to one another and help each other thrive. I not as happy with my boomerang as I hoped to be, but with only one day to decide on a story and what the story was going to be about, I think that the boomerang turned out as good as expected. The green, black and brown all represent the earth while the different shade of blue show the oceans, lakes and rivers. Then finally, the orangey-browns, oranges and the yellows are the sun/sunlight, touching all the land around them. 

What went well while painting your boomerang?

Everything went well, I think. While I didn't have a plan at all and just guessed, the colours all seem to fit together, like a puzzle. If I could change some things about the design, it would be that I had a plan that was detailed and that I didn't have to rush the painting part of the boomerang. Using tape to create a nice, crisp (well, sort of crisp) edge was the best thing that went well. It helped me sort of see where my design was going and where each colour was going to go. I believe that people tried their best while painting their boomerang and that people enjoyed this activity.

Test for Carbon Dioxide Gas

Aim: To show that carbon dioxide gas is produced when a metal carbonate reacts with acid
Equipment

• Two boiling tubes
• Delivery tube and bung
• Bunsen Burner
• Test tube rack 
• Wooden splint
• Bottle of acid
• Small amount of Metal Carbonate
• Test tube tongs
• Safety glasses

Method

1. Light your bunsen burner

2. Add a pea-sized amount of the metal carbonate into one of the boiling tubes.

3. Place this boiling tube into a test tube rack. Ensure you have the bung and delivery tube

 ready. 

4. Add 5ml of acid to the boiling tube and quickly insert the bung and delivery tube into the mouth 

of the boiling tube.

5. Holding the other boiling tube with your tongs, capture the gas produced. 

6. When you think that the tube is full, light a wooden splint. 

7. Carefully remove the boiling tube from under the delivery tube, taking care to keep

 it facing upward. 

8. Insert the burning splint into the mouth of the test tube. 

Observations:

If you weren't quick into when you shoved the splint in the test tube, then there is a chance that the
splint won't go out. But other than that, the test was a good way to test for the carbon dioxide gas. 

Making a Metal Oxide

Aim: To make a metal oxide and observe the difference in the properties of the product compared to the reactants
Equipment:

• Magnesium strip
• Bunsen Burner
• Safety glasses
• Metal scissor tongs

Method:

1. Light your Bunsen burner
2. Hold the piece of the magnesium in the scissor tongs. Ensure that you are holding onto the very tip of the magnesium
3. Place the other end of the magnesium into the flame. (At the top of the blue flame.)
4. When the magnesium starts to bun, do not look directly at it as the light that it emits can cause permanent  damage to your eyes

Observations:

It takes a wee while for the magnesium to catch, but when it does it looks amazing. Its a white light that, when looked at through a pair of tinted safety glasses, sparkles. The burnt magnesium looks like an orb of pure white light. Once the magnesium is burnt out, you should be left with  a white, crumbly powder. That's the metal oxide powder that we needed to make. While it was an easy experiment to accomplish, it is still quite dangerous to do as you could get seriously injured. S we had to make sure that we took the right safety precautions so we don't get hurt.