Forces and motion

Science

Secondary

STEM activities are introduced in a KS3 cross-curricular approach

A Year 8 class build model gliders as part of a KS3 cross-curricular STEM project, exploring the science and engineering behind flight. The aim of the lesson at Ash Manor School in Surrey is to construct a working glider. Students start by looking at wings found in nature and produce blueprints of their gliders on paper, before constructing a working prototype. After initial testing they re-evaluate their designs and modify them based around concepts of drag, thrust, weight and design. Finally the whole class launch their models to see whose design has flown the furthest. This video shows the impact a well thought out STEM activity can have in bringing to life the future possibilities available to all pupils.

Finding Time for STEM

More tips on doing great physics experiments

In this programme, David Richardson from the Institute of Physics continues with more physics experiments for the staff at St. James Catholic High School in London. Head of biology Wendy Butler has always been afraid of using the Van de Graaff Generator. David shows her how to use it dramatically and safely and we then see her demonstrate it to her Year 11 group for the first time. Was it a success? David also shows some other striking experiments, including a light bulb partially immersed in a beaker of water and placed in a microwave oven. The bulb lights up and David explains why. But is it the kind of experiment you'd show your students?

KS3/4 Science - Demonstrating Physics: Electrostatics

Show-stopping physics experiments to keep students interested

In this programme, David Richardson from the Institute of Physics is invited to the Twilight Club at St. James' Catholic High School in London to demonstrate his physics experiments to science staff. Alongside these demonstrations, we see one teacher testing the experiments out with his Year 7 pupils. Almost all of the experiments are created using everyday objects. They include: <ul> <li>Lemonade bottles filled with water containing tomato ketchup sachets which act like Cartesian divers</li> <li>Marshmallows in a wine bottle expanding while the air is pumped out of the bottle to demonstrate the effect of air pressure</li> <li>Surprising ways of showing turning moments</li> <li>The effects of gravity</li> <li>Floating and sinking</li> </ul>

KS3/4 Science - Demonstrating Physics: Forces

Teaching forces with a bazooka and air bubbles

Forces is one of those subjects that science teachers can find difficult to teach, particularly if physics is not their specialism. In this programme, Steve Hearn from the Institute of Physics visits a group of physics non-specialists from the London Borough of Barnet to offer up ideas on how to approach this subject. Steve starts his introduction to forces with a bazooka: a homemade, partially evacuated tube which fires missiles at a target. He discusses how the bazooka works and what forces are acting on the missile, and the teachers draw their own force diagrams. Steve then goes on to introduce a bubble investigation where air bubbles are released in glycerol and rise up a small container. David Crossley, a teacher on the Teach First scheme, tries out the bubble investigation with a Year 7 group, asking them: <ul> <li>Which bubble will reach the top first, the big one or the small one?</li> <li>What forces are acting on the bubbles?</li> </ul> The teachers and the pupils make their predictions with some surprising results.

KS3/4 Science - Physics for Non-Physicists: Forces

Dr Nick Parmar suggests resources for teaching forces and motion

This edition of Resource Review looks at three resources to help teach forces and motion. Expert Dr Nick Parmar, AST and SLT at Bishop Stopford's C of E Secondary School in Enfield, recommends: <ul> <li>Boardworks KS3+GCSE Science</li> <li>Multimedia Science School 11-16 Edition: Terminal Velocity</li> <li>Test Base KS3 Science</li> </ul> Our roving reporter Matthew Tosh is out and about to see a couple of the resources in action. Nick and presenter Hermione Cockburn are joined in the studio by panellists Tim Tranquada, secondary science consultant at Essex County Council, and Alom Shaha, physics teacher at Camden School for Girls in London.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

Subjects

> Secondary Science

> Forces and motion

Finding Time for STEM

KS3/4 Science - Demonstrating Physics: Electrostatics

KS3/4 Science - Demonstrating Physics: Forces

KS3/4 Science - Physics for Non-Physicists: Forces

Secondary Science: Forces and Motion