In science we have been learning about oak trees. We studied and sketched some leaves, acorns and oak galls.
We learned that oak galls grow when a gall wasp lays an egg into a puncture on the underside of an oak leaf. As the larva develops, a round formation known as a gall nut is formed.
A long time ago people used to make ink from oak galls. We carried out an experiment to see if we could make some in class.
First we took some oak galls and crushed them into small pieces. This was a lot harder than it sounds! Then we put them into a jar of water with an iron nail. We left it to soak overnight.
The next morning we tested the ink. It was not as good as the ink you would buy in a shop because it was a bit watery, but it did work!
By Form Four