Tech Flip Book

At Room 8 we have been visiting Pakuranga Intermediate every Thursday. At the Intermediate we have been learning about electronics. For the past few weeks we have been building a Boom Box. To learn about the process click here

Stephenson's Rocket

WALHT: Write an informative report

Title: Stephenson’s rocket

The Stephenson’s rocket was an early locomotive meaning it was used to pull trains. It was built by George Stephenson and his son Robert in 1829 as a machine to compete in the Rainhill trials. George created many other locomotives but none of those were known as or considered ‘Rocket’.

George’s locomotive had a tall smokestack which looked like a small chimney at the front, a cylinder shaped boiler in the middle and a separate firebox at the back. It was made to enter the Rainhill trials. The Rocket also used a blastpipe which feeds exhaust steam from the cylinders into the chimney or ‘smokestack’.

It was in service between the 30’s and 40’s but the time was only vaguely documented.  From 1830 - 1834 it was in service in Liverpool and Manchester railways. After its service on L&MR (Liverpool and Manchester railways) it was used in 1836 - 1840 on Lord Carlisle’s Railway near Brampton, in Cumberland now called ‘Cumbria’. When it was introduced into L&MRs on the 15th of September in the year 1830 there was a tragic event William Huskisson (Member of Parliament of Liverpool) who was struck and killed by the Rocket at Parkside.

Trials were held by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company. The purpose was to find the best locomotive engine for a railway line, which was built to serve to English cities . On the day of the Trials, 15,000 people came along to see the race of the locomotives.

Stephenson’s locomotive reached speeds of 24 miles per hour during its 20 laps. I was able to do this by the several new features. It was the first locomotive to have a multi - tube boiler or smokestack. Click the link inside this word to see an animation on how it worked and also to build its engine using questions linked with the parts purpose.

What George Stephenson built along with his son was truly remarkable but sadly George died of pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura) at an age of 67, despite his passing his legacy still lives on today .

Stephenson’s Rocket

Le Cobra

WALHT: Write an informative report

Title:Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)

The Cobra is any species of venomous snake, a good example would be the King cobra. Although it is called a cobra it is not necessarily from the same family, the King cobra is not the same as the spitting cobra. It has different characteristics meaning its from a different genus.  Most cobras belong to the Elapidae family, the majority of them can expand their neck ribs to form a widened hood. Some cobras have really good eyesight which enables them to see 330 feet away (100m).

They can live in different climates but it is mostly found in hot/humid places, making Africa and Asia the perfect place to live. When threatened they raise their neck/hood as a threat display. They move with a sidewinding momentum which helps them maneuver through the terrain with ease but only a third of their body energy is wasted.

The word ‘Cobra’ in Portuguese means ‘snake with hood’ or ‘hooded snake. It also has spectacles or pattern on their hood. It fools predators or prey from behind making it look like they are facing both ways.

It has a wide variety of diet ranging from small animals which included rodents to bigger animals than themselves which include Buffalos. They are carnivorous reptiles meaning they only eat meat. The cobra is also known for eating its own kind. Here is an example of A king cobra eating an Indian Cobra: Click this to see it in action

Cobra’s venom potency is not the highest but one bite from the King cobra can kill an elephant slowly but very painfully. The way it destroys a prey’s body varies but the spitting cobras venom stings the prey’s eyes making them vulnerable to any attack.

Cobras use their stealth and speed but if stealth doesn’t work they go directly for the killing, aiming to get a kill blow in. Once they have injected venom into their prey they ingurgitate their victim eating it whole.

Adult sheds their skins 4-6 times per year but juveniles shed every month once the shedding of skin is finished the cobra has new skin, fangs,eyes and tongue tip. The cobras have to rub their skin on rough surfaces to get the skin to start peeling. They will have bad eyesight for 10 days. Click this to see an example of a cobra shedding it’s skin.

Snakes are fascinating but at the same time dangerous. Some species of cobra are declining due to poaching as the snakeskin is very nice product to use for designs. Picture ref:http://www.123rf.com

Mother Story

‘My Mum is the best’ that’s what all kids would say, who wouldn’t? My Mum is special to me, she brought me to life , she taught me most of what I know and she guides me to where I am now . She is like most mums but has her own special touches, she is very brave and always keen to try everything even though she is scared. She is like our leader she raises our morale and does what is right for us, She works very hard for us and sometimes I don’t have a clue on how hard she works and  I sometimes take for granted what she works so much for . My mum is many different things to me she is a teacher, guidance counselor, financial manager and most of all she is my own special mum. I still remember the times when I was sick and she used to take me to the hospital and buy me food from Jollibee (Filipino Restaurant) afterwards. I used to try and copy her cooking by getting grass and other things on the ground then chopping them with a plastic knife. For this mother’s day we went to HanSan a vietnamese restaurant to celebrate it was packed. Besides all the telling off and arguments I love my mum as she loves me and there is no one who could replace her.