Physical processes

Science

Primary

KS2 science: a four-section look at forces, friction and gravity

Examine forces, what they do and how they can be measured, with this four-section programme for Key Stage 2 science. Skateboarder assesses how the various materials used for a skateboard have different relationships with the forces of friction and gravity. Some help to reduce friction, others help to increase it. Parachute Jump looks at skydivers, investigating the forces in action before and after the canopy is opened. Pedal Power investigates where the force comes from to push bicycle pedals and make it move. This section goes into the lab to see a chicken leg being dissected to examine muscles in more detail. Finally, Sliding on Snow shows a primary class the forces of gravity and friction when snowboarding and tobogganing.

Action!

Primary pupils visit an observatory: a KS2 science lesson starter

Amateur astronomer Bill Forest gives a primary class a tour of an observatory in this lesson starter for Key Stage 2 science. Teacher Adrienne Bullen arranges an evening trip for her class from Ponsbourne St Mary's Primary School in Hertfordshire. The children ask questions about space and look at stars through a telescope, getting a glimpse into the workings of a small observatory. The trip inspires and excites the KS2 class and helps the children put their work into context.

Astronomy: Observatory Trip

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

Launching bottles demonstrates air pressure for KS2 science pupils

Teach primary pupils how much air pressure is needed to move objects of varying size, with this Key Stage 2 science lesson idea. Scientist Dr. Mark Biddiss constructs a makeshift launch pad, watched by children from Orion Primary School in north London. Dr. Mark then changes the air volumes to project small, medium-sized and large bottles upwards.

Forces: Rocket Launch

Integrating a visit to the Science Museum into the classroom

Year 4 pupils from Hillbrook Primary take a trip to Launchpad, the Science Museum's most popular interactive gallery. Recently relaunched with new exhibits, demonstrations and shows, the gallery targets pupils at KS2 to promote enthusiasm about science and complement learning in the classroom. To make the most of the trip, teacher Katie Chesworth is keen to relate the visit into her pupils' work on forces and friction. They get the chance to explore relevant exhibits and take in an explosive show on rockets. There is also a brief introduction to the Science Museum's online interactive game Launchball, designed to bring scientific principles alive in the classroom and to make homework more interesting.

Hands on Science - at KS2

A KS2 science heat experiment with different-coloured balloons

An experiment with balloons can show a Key Stage 2 science class how colour affects heat absorption. Scientist Dr. Mark Biddiss holds various coloured balloons over a heat source, watched by children from Orion Primary School in north London. The experiment shows KS2 pupils how coloured balloons react differently in relation to heat.

Heat: Naughty Balloons

Hide-and-seek shows how ears locate sounds, for KS1/2 science

Show Year 2/3 science pupils how our ears help us to locate sounds, with this short video showing two children playing hide-and-seek in the woods. Gabby is wearing earmuffs and, due to her muffled hearing, she's having difficulty finding Evan. When she removes her earmuffs and finds that she can hear more clearly, she's able to surprise Evan. This Key Stage 1/2 lesson starter illustrates how our ears tell us where sounds are coming from.

How We Hear

An imaginative approach to interlinked learning at primary level

See how interlinked learning can be brought to life, from travelling in space to diving into the deep sea, at Frogwell Primary School in Wiltshire. Frogwell uses an interlinked learning approach to bring together different curriculum areas under a general theme. For the children, this means that every term their classrooms are transformed into stimulating environments reflecting that term's theme. In Carol Snowden's Year 1 class the theme is under the sea, and we see children write their own fishy poetry. Year 3's classroom, meanwhile, is transformed into Nasa Mission Control, complete with space shuttle, rocket and space suits. In linking all their learning to the theme of Earth and Beyond, Year 3 teacher Mandy Turner covers the measuring and applying element of the National Strategy for Mathematics by getting the children to make their own space suits.

Interlinked Learning at Frogwell Primary School

Year 2 science in action as a chef exerts forces upon pizza dough

Help Key Stage 1 science pupils discover how the shape of an object can be changed with pushing, pulling, stretching and kneading, with this everyday example that can be practised in class. Chef Eric demonstrates how he makes pizzas with dough, as he pushes and pulls it to make different shapes. This lesson starter gives primary pupils a real-life context, showing the different forces a chef uses when making dough. After Eric kneads the dough for a while and stretches it, he puts it onto a baking dish. Toppings are then added and the pizza is put into the oven.

KS1 Science - Changing Movement by Force

Help KS1 science pupils explore how sounds make us feel, and why

Challenge Year 1/2 science pupils to think about how different sounds can make you feel, from a physical processes perspective. A professor plays a variety of sounds to his assistant, Sam. She then indicates how she feels about each noise with a smiley, sad or neutral face. The sounds include a bird warbler, an alarm clock and a vacuum cleaner, helping primary pupils consider the emotional responses that different sounds can produce. This Key Stage 1 lesson starter stimulates discussion as pupils think about why they like certain sounds.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

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