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May the force be with you!

Science Year 3
This unit is part of Year 3 Science Amazing Magnets

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Objectives

You receive the letter from Mr Newton of the British Scientific Society and agree to help him develop some exciting activities on the theme of Magnetism for their annual science fair. But first you need to get to grips with what a force is!

Science Objectives
i) Compare how things move on different surfaces.

Working Scientifically

  1. Set up simple practical enquiries and comparative and fair tests.
  2. Make systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, take accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment.

Other Curriculum Areas
Maths - Measurement

  • Measure, compare, add and subtract: lengths (m/cm/mm).

Extended Writing Opportunities
Recount: Write a letter to Mr Andrew Newton of the British Scientific Society to tell him about your initial investigation into the forces needed to move a toy vehicle on different surfaces.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • Printout of the (personalised) Letter to Class from Mr Newton
  • Push/pull labels – to classify forces
  • Investigation PowerPoint to introduce task
  • Task sheets (1 each)

Additional Resources

  • Selection of everyday items – see Furious Forces instructions for details
  • A bag for each group of 4 - 5 children
  • Marker pen
  • 30 word display cards
  • Sticky tack & masking tape
  • Push/pull labels printed on card and trimmed
  • A selection of toy vehicles (enough for 1 between 3)
  • Thin rubber bands
  • Balloons (ideally old flabby, flat ones – see Teachers’ Notes)
  • Different testing surfaces (e.g. grass, tarmac, carpet, lino)

Weblinks
KS2 learner guides about forces from www.bbc.co.uk
A series of short films about magnets, gravity, friction and levers from www.bbc.co.uk

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Understand that forces are pushes and pulls which can make things move, stop or change shape.
  • Set up and conduct a comparative fair test, record measurements and discuss results.

Activities

  1. Play a game in teams to explore all the different ways forces can act on a variety of everyday objects.
  2. Classify each action as either a push, a pull or both.
  3. Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the amount of force needed to move a toy vehicle on different surfaces making choices about whether to measure push or pull and how to keep it fair.
  4. Evaluate, review and discuss findings (e.g. were predictions correct? Were tests fair?).

Investigation - exploring/classifying and identifying
Ask questions and then investigate how toy vehicles run on different surfaces. Begin to explain in terms of forces.

Vocabulary
Force, push, pull, theory, fair test, investigate, measure

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