From the 3/4 Classrooms

Classroom experiments

As part of our term's Integrated Studies Unit: Forces and Functions all classes participated in 4 different experiments. 

Experiment 1: Experimenting with types of forces

Stations were set up around the room with different objects (eg. a pair of magnets, a toy car, a slinky). Students move between the stations and experimented with the object. They then had to discuss and think about focus questions at each station. For example with the toy car; what is causing the car to move? where else have you seen these forces? During the reflection time students discussed what was the most interesting experiment they conducted and explained why they thought this.

Experiment 2: Experimenting with Wind Power.

Students discussed how in some places, people use wind turbines to generate electricity to use in their house and businesses. To model a wind turbine and how it works; students created a pin wheel. They then tested their pin wheel by blowing air or placing it in the wind to see how it spins and how it generates energy. During the production of the pin wheel students were able to discuss the importance of design and the impact this has on how effective the wind turbine would be.

Experiment 3: Experimenting with Friction

Students learnt that friction occurs when two surfaces slide against each other. They tested rubbing their hands together and discussing what they feel is happening. Students were provided with a toy car and needed to create a ramp. They then tested how the car travels down the ramp on different surfaces (sandpaper, towel, bubble wrap and no additional surface). Students then tested the car on the ramp and measured how far the car travelled. They then had a discussion around which surface was the fastest and slowest and why they feel this occured.

Experiment 4: Experimenting with Elasticity

Students were provided with a measuring tape/ruler, sticky tape, a rubber ball, a table tennis ball and a marble. The purpose of this experiment was to measure which ball is the bounciest (which ball has the most elasticity). Students had to hypothesise (have an educated guess) which ball will bounce the highest and share their thoughts with the class. Students had to drop their ball from a height of 25cm to ensure that the data and results were consistent.

Students enjoyed the hands on experience when learning about forces. They also had a taste of what it is like to conduct a science experiment, predicting what may happen and their thoughts behind this prediction and then explaining the outcome and why they feel this happened. 

Exploring forces at home!

Here is an activity you may like to try at home to explore forces and discuss together as a family. 

Watching sultanas dance in sparkling water

Sparkling water (or soda) can make sultanas dance! At first, the sultanas sink because they are more dense than the water but once some bubbles (of carbon dioxide gas that provides the fizz) attach to the sultanas, they float upwards, sinking again when the bubbles are released. 

Hands-on activity: Have a go yourself – outside if you can as you might get a bit wet! Experiment with tightening and loosening the cap on the sparkling water bottle to see what happens to the sultanas. You could also use chocolate chips, raisins or currants too.

Enjoy experimenting and discovering together!

Team 3/4 teachers