Advisory Service Kent
Plans
Area of Science: Investigation Unit Cycle B – Lower Key Stage 2
Learning Intentions Key Questions Tasks Resources Outcomes Notes
Mission Incredible Health and
safety – do not
This unit allows the children an look directly at
opportunity to develop their scientific the sun.
skills and knowledge in an interesting
context.
Activities can be selected from those
outlined below.
The children are to take the role of a
special agent. The mission is to
capture and return a secret formula.
To be able to How can we make a Paper planes www.cdli.ca/CITE Can measure length
measure plane fly further? Pattern-seeking /paper.htm accurately (level 3)
distance.
What data could we The children must make and test a Can make a series of
To be able to collect to prove our selection of paper planes. They can measurements
explain about the ideas? measure the distance recorded by adequate for the task
forces involved in each one and present this data in a (level 4)
a paper plane How could we present bar chart.
our data? Can make simple
generalisations about
forces (level 3)
Can explain about
simple phenomena
using physical ideas
(level 4)
Advisory Service Kent
Learning Intentions Key Questions Tasks Resources Outcomes Notes
To be able to What is a shadow? Making shadows Torches Can demonstrate how
explain how a Exploration Different to block light with some
shadow is made How could a shadow materials materials (level 2)
be made clearer? The children must find a way to
make clear shadows. They could Can explain that a
explore different shapes and shadow is produced
materials for the object, as well as when the light is
different types of light sources and blocked (level 3)
the distance between the light
sources and the object. Can explain why
shadows show shape
but not other details of
an object (level 4)
How can we make the The descending cable Cotton reels Can provide
To be able to
offer explanations
mass descend in a Pattern-seeking Thread explanations for simple
for results
certain amount of time? Paper clips patterns in their
recorded.
Wind some thread with a small mass Card recorded
Which forces are being on the end round around a cotton measurements (level 3)
applied to the mass? reel. Cut slots into one end of the
reel. Fix a thin card sail in the slots. Can begin to use
Ensure that the sail can move feely graphs to point out and
on its axle. Let the mass descend. interpret patterns in
Time the decent of the mass when their data (level 4)
using different sizes of sails.
To know how to How can we make an Musical instrument Selection of Can explain how the
change the pitch instrument that will TASC wheel problem-solving materials pitch is altered on their
of an instrument. make a variety of notes Bottles own instrument
and will be able to be Using the equipment provided, the Tubes (level 4)
To be able to played at different children must make a musical Tubs
suggest volumes? instrument that can make notes of a Elastic bands Can evaluate their
improvements to similar pitch and loudness to ones work, giving
work. that they are played (the secret code suggestions for
notes) improvements
(level 4)
Advisory Service Kent
Learning Intentions Key Questions Tasks Resources Outcomes Notes
Rulers
To be able to How can the seesaws Balancing scales Can make simple
Pattern-seeking Masses
explain forces in be balanced? generalisations about
terms of physical forces (level 3)
ideas. Is there a formula that Present the children with a host of
we can use to help us unbalanced seesaws. They must Can explain about
to quickly work out the figure out the amount of mass simple phenomena
amount of mass that is required to balance the seesaws, as using physical ideas
needed and where it well as where on the seesaw they (level 4)
should be placed? should be placed. The children must
record their results.
Challenge the children to come up
with a rule that will help them to
solve these problems quickly.
To be able to How can the lid be Cartesian Diver A pen lid Can link cause and
explain what made to sink and then Explore weighted with effect in simple
happens in the return back to the Blue tac explanations (level 3)
exploration. surface? Children make a Cartesian diver and An empty 2l
then use it to try and retrieve a key in bottle with top Can describe and
Why does this happen? the bottom of a bottle. Paperclips explain physical
Small keys phenomena (level 4)
What to do
1. Fill the bottle with water to the
very top
2. Attach Blue tac to the pen lid
3. Put the pen lid into the bottle. It
should only just float.
4. Screw the top on the bottle
5. Squeeze the bottle
continued …
Advisory Service Kent
Learning Intentions Key Questions Tasks Resources Outcomes Notes
How it works
As the bottle is compressed more
water goes into the pen lid. This
makes the pen lid heavier and it
sinks. The reverse happens when
the bottle is released – the air
expands forcing water out. The lid
becomes lighter and floats.
To be able to How could we use Periscope Card Can select suitable A similar
select the most some of the equipment TASC wheel problem-solving Mirrors equipment that is activity has
suitable provided to help us to activity adequate for the task been included
equipment for look around a corner? (level 4) in the unit
completing task. The children must decide what it ‘Light’ for upper
must be capable of doing and Key Stage 2.
therefore the criteria from which it will
be evaluated. Children must include
an explanation about how the
periscope works – this could be part
of a set of instructions.
To be able to How can we fling A catapult Metal coat Can make simple This is the
explain how the something over a long TASC wheel problem-solving hangers generalisations about same activity
forces work in a distance? Elastic bands physical phenomena as in
catapult. Children must decide how they will (various (level 3) ‘Investigation
What could we change launch an object over a distance. Unit – Upper
thickness and
to improve the They could construct a type of length) Can use physical ideas Key Stage 2
performance of our Cycle a –
trebuchet using metal coat hangers, Plastic spoons to explain simple
catapult? elastic bands and spoons. The Survivor’.
(various sizes) phenomena (level 4)
What data could we children must record measurements However, one
collect in order to show of the distance travelled by the of the Year
the type of catapult projectiles. groups could
which worked the best? do the task as
a fair-test
investigation.
Advisory Service Kent
Learning Intentions Key Questions Tasks Resources Outcomes Notes
To be able to What effects how well Parachute Different Can record their
show data in your parachute will Fair test investigation materials measurements in
tables and bar work? String tables and bar graphs
graphs. Children plan what to change and Masses (level 4)
how they will measure the effect. Stop watches
To be able to What should our boat Making a boat Different Can explain in physical
explain about the be able to do? TASC problem –solving materials terms the forces acting
forces acting on a Washing up on a boat (level 4)
boat. What are the forces The children must design and make bowls
that are acting on the a boat that will achieve their own Masses
boat? success criteria.
To be able to How can a rocket be Making a rocket 2l bottles Can respond to
think of ways of made that will fly at TASC problem-solving Cardboard tubes suggestions and put
answering a least three metres? A4 paper forward their own ideas
question. Using only a sheet of A4 paper, a Sellotape as to how to find an
smartie tube (or card to make one) answer to a question.
and an empty 2l bottle, the children (level 3)
must make a rocket that will fly at
least 3 metres. Can decide on an
appropriate approach
to answer a question.