Materials and their properties

Science

Primary

A primary science experiment incorporates Victorian history

CPD trainer Deborah Herridge introduces an exercise for APP in primary science, using Victorian London as topic to combine science and history at Key Stage 1 and 2, in a training session for teachers. In 1858, the smell of untreated sewage from the polluted Thames in London, known as The Big Stink, led to the development of the drainage system. In her CPD workshop, Deborah shows the teachers how to recreate the stink by mixing pasta, chocolate and rice. Asking pupils to investigate the stink will help teachers use the APP criteria for 'gathering evidence' and also help KS1 and KS2 pupils learn about pollution. Deborah then asks the group to clean the water through filtration - issuing them with tools of sieves, filters, coffee filter papers and plastic bowls and jugs, showing how the practical science activity can be extended.

APP for Primary Science - The Big Stink with Deborah Herridge

Challenge KS2 pupils with seven science lesson-starting ideas

This classroom resource provides seven Key Stage 2 science lesson starters for use with an interactive whiteboard when teaching about topics such as materials and their properties, or physical processes. Each video introduces a different scientific topic, from water and evaporation to the science of sounds, with each using a documentary or drama style. A year group is suggested for each video, from Year 3 to Year 6.

Changing State, Micro-Organisms and Other Topics

KS2 science video: collect water by evaporation and condensation

Show primay pupils how a desert-island castaway uses evaporation and condensation to collect drinking water, in a video ideal for use in Year 5 science lessons. In a dramatic scenario, it shows how water can be collected using only basic tools, clearly demonstrating the process of evaporation and distillation. The video ends with a question designed to instigate a Key Stage 2 classroom discussion on evaporation and condensation.

Evaporation and Condensation - Robinson Crusoe Makes Drinking Water

Non-reversible changes that create new materials: KS2 science

Explore the non-reversible changes that lead to the formation of new materials, with this five-part video for Key Stage 2 science. Fire! Fire! reveals to a primary class the Hindu festival of Dessehra, which includes explosions of fireworks that result in irreversible chemical changes. Changed For Ever goes into the lab to observe chemical changes, including time-lapse footage of lit candles and the burning of magnesium. Magic Sand follows the amazing changes in properties which occur between taking sand as a raw material and producing finished glass. No Going Back observes two non-reversible chemical reactions in the lab, and What's Cooking? looks at chemical changes in the kitchen through heating, roasting and frying.

How Stuff Changes

Four teachers show how humans survive in the Antarctic region

A group of British teachers embark on a four-week expedition to Antarctica and demonstrate how humans are able to live on the South Pole. Designed for use in KS1/2 geography and science lessons, the programme begins with an explanation of where Antarctica is, what the climate is like and what it takes to live there. The teachers then show what clothes people should wear in Antarctica, how they should travel and what food they should eat in order to survive such cold conditions. They also explore a science project that tests what effect the cold has on their bodies. Teachers in the Freezer caters for both scientific and geography curriculums, covering KS2 geography skill and enquiry elements as well as the Weather Around the World topic and the science topics Unit 4C: keeping warm and Unit 3C(3): choosing materials for a purpose.

KS1/2 Antarctica - Teachers in the Freezer

A primary AST leads a Year 4 class in a science investigation

Sally Crowe, a primary AST leads a Year 4 class from Latchmere Primary School, Kingston upon Thames in a science investigation. The class is split into groups with the objective of planning and conducting an investigation into separating various solids and solutions. Sally, who is also a year 5 teacher and best practice manager, gives the pupils a sense of responsibility by allowing them to choose their own roles, methods and techniques during the investigation. Sally focuses on the importance of pupil participation from planning right through to the practical experiment itself. Pupils prove to be successful in their investigations by becoming actively involved in complex science lessons with minimal support and input from the teacher.

KS1/2 Science - Practically Science

Investigating different materials at Key Stage 2 science

This programme looks at a KS2 science lesson devised by Year 3 class teacher Clare James. The lesson was inspired by visits the children made to a working water mill. Clare decides to bring the outside environment into the school by inviting mill education officer Elfyn Morris into the classroom with his model water wheel and grindstone. Clare also enlists the help of Jane Turner from the Science Learning Centre. The lesson consists of a selection of activities, including: <ul> <li>A clay table which the children can use to replicate the textures of materials they found at the mill</li> <li>A scratch test table where pupils investigate the hardness of materials</li> <li>A display of photographs and drawings showing what they've learned</li> </ul> The children also report back and demonstrate their findings to each other. The programme concludes with Clare and Jane's analysis of how the lesson went, with discussion about what worked well and what could be improved for next time.

KS2 Science - Materials: Lesson and Review

Visiting a watermill for KS2 science

This programme begins with Year 3 class teacher Clare James, from Canterbury Cross Primary in Birmingham, and Jane Turner from the Science Learning Centre on their way to Sarehole Mill in Hall Green. The purpose of their visit is to see if the water mill might be a suitable location for a Key Stage 2 science lesson on materials. The mill contains a wealth of different materials for the children to discover in an interesting and stimulating setting. Clare and Jane discuss the pros, cons and pitfalls of such a visit and Clare enlists the help of the mill's education officer Elfyn Morris to assist her on the day. When the children arrive they are given a "material trail worksheet" to help them conduct their investigations. They are also encouraged to ask questions about the materials they find around them. The programme concludes with Clare and Jane looking back on how the day has gone and assessing how successful the visit has been in meeting the learning objectives.

KS2 Science - Materials: Visiting a Watermill

Inspiring materials activities for Year 5 and 6 science pupils

Introduce KS1 and KS2 science pupils to the subject of materials with these great lesson-planning ideas for primary teachers. Alien Soup - a mixture made of sand, rice and other mystery ingredients - can encourage children to work together to filter and separate materials while discovering their properties, as shown by Year 5/6 teacher David Aston. Pupils are left open-mouthed as Year 5 teacher Sam Harvey demonstrates how to create an irreversible change to materials. She explains how this activity can help pupils improve their prediction skills. Meanwhile, a Year 2 class investigates the properties of ice, in an activity inspired by the story of the Snowman's Coat. And by sharing a DIY Lava Lamp idea, Year 5 teacher Lucy Blackmore encourages children to think like scientists when faced with an unexpected outcome.

Materials Activities

Highlight practical uses of different materials, for KS2 science

Reveal to Year 3 science pupils how a range of materials can be applied to a variety of purposes, with this quick-to-use resource. This visually-rich live-action video depicts a cross-country race between three differently-dressed people, highlighting to Key Stage 2 pupils how each material can be put to practical use. The film ends with a question designed to instigate a primary classroom discussion on the usefulness of different fabrics.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

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> Primary Science

> Materials and their properties