Discovering in 1/2DS

Our Literacy/Inquiry focus this term is Science.

We are learning to understand the difference between objects and materials.

We are learning about the properties of different materials and the words that can be used to describe the properties of materials. Some of the new words we are learning are 'transparent', 'translucent' and 'opaque', 'flexible' and 'rigid', 'waterproof', 'absorbent', 'brittle' and 'dull'.

We investigated and described the properties of the materials of some common household and classroom objects.

Next we investigated which materials make the best plane. Our materials were aluminium foil, copy paper, thin card, paper towel and tissue paper. We worked in small groups to make a plane with each of the materials.

We made predictions about which plane would fly the furthest, then flew our planes to test our predictions. You can see how far the planes in each group flew in the pictures below.

The copy paper seemed to fly the furthest for most groups. We identified the properties of copy paper that helped these planes fly so well; paper is lightweight, smooth and is rigid enough to keep its shape. In most groups, the aluminium plane flew the shortest. We think this happened because the foil became heavier and its surface became bumpier when it was folded. The properties of the foil were not as good for making a plane as the properties copy paper.

We can't wait for our next hands-on science investigation!