Year 2 Bulletin
Science
Science Understanding: Physical Sciences
Science Skills: Science Inquiry Skills
The way objects move depends on a variety of factors including their size and shape: a push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape.
Learning Intention:To construct a simple machine which will move when a force is applied.
Learning experience overview
As a part of our Grandparents’/Special Person’s morning we invited our special guests to join us in conducting a science experiment, which was directly linked to our current Big Idea:
Forces within our environment create movement which is dependent upon materials and components that impact the design of our play spaces.
We began by watching the video:
Then, instructions were followed, using card, coloured paper, plastic straws, tape and Polo mints.
They learnt that seeking answers to questions and making observations is a core part of science. From the design of their machines, they were able to infer simple cause and effect relationships from their observations and experiences, and link events with observable effects.
Between each change in design, we discussed predictions versus actual observations. Were our ideas correct? Had we considered all the alternative types of sails to propel the machines along? What surprised us? What didn’t?
At the conclusion of the experiment, we reflected and considered how we might have conducted the experiment differently, in order to make our machines move more efficiently.
Prompts/questions/responses
- Helpful questions to ask when predicting and/or observing:
- What do I already know about simple machines/forces?
- What are we expecting we will see?
- What prior knowledge am I bringing to this experience?
- Is this like something else I know about? Are there similarities/differences in what I have experienced/experimented with/trialled, in the past?
- Did our machine perform as we expected?
- What was the most surprising part of our experiment?
- What difference would a change in design, have made? How do I know?
- What makes me curious here?
- What am I interested in finding out more about?
- How many different outcomes can we predict?
- What would help me observe better? Perhaps use a constant source of wind, like a hair dryer?
The resulting simple machines were really, nothing short of magnificent!
To resume the learning at home from this experience
- Continue to encourage your child/ren to take an interest in the world around them.
- Respond to and pose questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events
- Participate in guided investigations, including making observations
using the senses, to explore and answer questions - Identify and comment upon simple machines around you
- Notice how objects move and what force is involved
- Discuss push and pull effects on objects
- Compare observations and predictions with those of others
- Represent and communicate observations and ideas about changes in objects and events in a variety of ways
Mrs Evans and Rosanna
Year 2 Team