Year One: Material Investigations

This content provides a hands-on educational activity for children to investigate the waterproof properties of various materials through a simple experiment. The approach emphasizes inquiry-based learning, encouraging children to ask questions, make predictions, and record their observations systematically.

The activity outlined in the content engages children in a practical investigation to determine which materials are waterproof. It begins by defining waterproof materials and prompting children to think of examples, such as wellies and umbrellas. Children are guided to touch and predict the waterproof nature of materials like tea towels, toilet paper, foil, plastic bags, and newspaper. The investigation involves setting up a fair test by using the same amount of water and pouring it at a consistent speed over the materials secured in a glass jar. After pouring, children observe the results to see if water collects in the jar, indicating whether the material is waterproof or not. The content encourages children to record their findings on an investigation sheet and reflect on their predictions and results. It also suggests extending the activity by testing additional materials to further explore waterproof properties.

This activity encourages children to explore the concepts of buoyancy by predicting and testing whether various objects sink or float in water. It promotes hands-on learning through observation, classification, and data recording, fostering critical thinking skills in young learners.

The Sink or Float investigation is designed for children to explore which objects float and which sink by making predictions and recording results. Key materials include a container of water, various objects like wood, coins, and balls, and an investigation sheet for recording predictions and outcomes. Children are guided to predict the behaviour of each object before testing them in water. The activity emphasizes discussion about the results, encouraging children to reflect on their predictions and the materials of the objects. It also prompts them to consider whether the objects that floated shared common properties and to explore additional items for testing. The hands-on nature of the experiment allows for interactive learning and the development of scientific inquiry skills.

The lesson plan presents a hands-on educational activity designed to engage children in scientific inquiry by exploring how to make a piece of wood sink using various materials. It emphasizes observation, experimentation, and discussion to foster understanding of buoyancy and weight.

The "Make It Sink Challenge" is an interactive educational activity aimed at children, encouraging them to explore the principles of buoyancy and weight through hands-on experimentation. The activity requires a container of water, a piece of wood, and various materials such as a rock, elastic band, tin foil square, coin, and metal spoon. Children are tasked with finding ways to make the wood sink using only the provided resources. Initially, the wood will float, prompting children to experiment with different combinations of materials. For instance, tying the wood to a rock using an elastic band demonstrates how the heavier rock can pull the wood down, causing it to sink. The challenge sheet serves as a visual aid for children to record their methods and results, encouraging them to draw diagrams and reflect on their findings. Discussion questions guide children to think critically about their experiments, such as the effectiveness of different methods and the reasons behind the sinking.

The lesson plan presents an educational activity designed to engage children in scientific exploration by challenging them to make a rock float using various materials. It emphasizes hands-on learning through observation, experimentation, and discussion of the principles of buoyancy and weight distribution.

The "Make It Float Challenge" encourages children to explore the concept of buoyancy by attempting to make a rock float using provided materials such as wood, tin foil, and a container of water. The activity begins with the child observing that a rock sinks when placed in water. They are then prompted to experiment with the materials to devise a solution, such as creating a boat from tin foil to support the rock. The instructions highlight the importance of discussing the process with the child, asking questions about their methods and findings. The challenge sheet serves as a visual aid for recording results, allowing children to draw diagrams of their experiments. Key discussion points include how the child arrived at their solution, the mechanics of buoyancy, and the capacity of their foil boat. This hands-on approach fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a playful learning environment.

This investigation encourages children to explore the strength of various materials through hands-on experimentation and observation. By predicting and testing, they learn to classify materials based on their physical properties and understand the concept of fair testing in scientific inquiry.

The Strongest Material Investigation is designed for children to explore the strength of different materials by constructing bridges and testing how many blocks each can hold before collapsing. The activity involves using everyday materials such as toilet rolls, wooden blocks, tin foil, and cardboard. Children are encouraged to make predictions about which materials they believe are strong or weak and to record their findings on an investigation sheet. To ensure a fair test, it is important to keep variables consistent, such as the distance between toilet rolls and the placement of blocks. After conducting the tests, children analyse their results to determine which material held the most and least blocks, and whether their predictions were accurate. This hands-on approach not only teaches them about material properties but also fosters critical thinking and scientific reasoning.

This investigation encourages children to explore the concept of magnetism through hands-on experimentation with various materials. By predicting and testing which objects are magnetic, children learn to classify materials based on their physical properties and understand the nature of magnetic attraction.

The lesson plan outlines a hands-on educational activity designed for children to investigate which materials are magnetic. It emphasizes the importance of asking questions and recognizing that answers can come in various forms. Children will perform simple tests to identify and classify objects based on their magnetic properties. The activity requires a magnet and a selection of everyday objects, such as scissors, coins, and paper clips. Children will make predictions about the magnetism of each object and record their findings on an investigation sheet. The process involves discussing the concept of attraction and the physical properties of materials. After testing, children will categorize the objects into magnetic and non-magnetic groups, with the possibility of a third category for mixed materials. The activity also encourages further exploration by challenging children to find additional magnetic and non-magnetic objects.

This investigation encourages children to explore the concept of absorption through hands-on experimentation with various materials. By engaging in this activity, children learn to make predictions, conduct tests, and analyse results, fostering critical thinking and scientific inquiry.

The "Absorbing Water Investigation" is a hands-on educational activity designed for children to explore which materials can absorb water. The activity begins with a discussion about the meaning of absorbent materials and their usefulness, such as sponges for soaking up spills. Children are invited to select different materials like newspaper, tissue paper, foil, cardboard, and toilet paper, cutting them into strips of equal size for testing. The investigation involves placing these strips around a bowl and pouring water into the centre to observe the absorption process. To ensure a fair test, all strips must be the same size and touch the water. Children record their observations by drawing diagrams and noting which materials absorbed water and which did not. The results reveal that materials like toilet paper become soggy, while foil does not change colour or shape but allows water to run off. The activity concludes with a discussion about the properties of materials and the science behind absorption, emphasizing that tiny holes between particles allow water to enter and that the space between particles affects absorption capacity.

This investigation aims to teach children about heat absorption in different materials through a hands-on experiment. By predicting and observing which materials cause ice cubes to melt the fastest, children engage in scientific inquiry and data recording.

The Absorbing Heat Investigation is designed for children to explore which materials absorb heat most effectively. Participants will use various materials such as black card, white paper, tin foil, cardboard, and wood, along with ice cubes, to conduct the experiment. The investigation encourages children to make predictions about heat absorption and record their observations. It emphasizes the importance of a fair test, ensuring that all ice cubes are the same size and that materials are placed in direct sunlight. After the experiment, children will analyse their results to determine which material absorbed the most heat and which absorbed the least. This activity not only teaches scientific concepts but also fosters critical thinking and data analysis skills.