Investigating the wonderful world of water made a splash with children and parents at Upton Juniors in Broadstairs.

The Year 4 group dived head first into the important topic that focused on a range of aspects of one of the world’s most fundamental and vital natural assets.

They investigated the benefits and features of rivers, and created dioramas to represent the water cycle.

Evaporation and condensation was discussed together with states of matter, with rivers around the UK and the world compared and contrasted.

Parents were invited in to school to engage with the Water World themed learning that included science and geography as part of the topic.

After singing a water cycle song to their visitors, pupils guided them around a range of experiments to highlight some of the avenues they had been exploring.

These included melting ice cubes to produce steam (evaporation) and using a mirror to show condensation; shaking milk with ice cubes to make ice cream; mixing corn flour and water to make a suspension called oobleck; and dropping coloured water into shaving foam to represent clouds, which 'rained' when they got too heavy.

Head of Year 4 Nikki Lewis said: “It was lovely to see so many parents join us for our celebration of learning afternoon.

“The children working alongside their adults to collaborate on and explore a range of science experiments was extremely beneficial for their learning. It was wonderful witnessing them proudly explain what was happening.

“The highlight of the afternoon was watching their faces when they made ice cream from milk and then tasted it, commenting that 'it really tasted like ice cream'.”

Head of School Darci Arthur added: “Upton parents play an important role in our school community and we are always happy to welcome them so they can experience first-hand the varied work their children are exploring in the classroom.”

What is oobleck – a suspension of corn starch and water that can behave like a solid or a liquid depending on how much pressure you apply. The name oobleck comes from the 1949 children’s book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, by Dr. Seuss. In the story, a sticky liquid falls from the sky as a result of the king becoming bored with normal weather.

Upton Junior School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Chilton Primary School and Ramsgate Arts Primary School.

*For more information contact Head of School Darci Arthur on 01843 861393